AI-driven decision support systems' impact on healthcare. How do healthcare professionals perceive the emotional and psychological impact of AI-driven CDSSs?

Sammanfattning

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, understanding how healthcare professionals perceive its use is essential for successful and ethical implementation. This study explores the experiences, attitudes, and emotional responses of healthcare workers in Sweden toward AI and AI-driven Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) by trying to answer the research question: How do healthcare professionals perceive the emotional and psychological impact of AI-driven decision support systems in their daily work? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two doctors and three nurses from a hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, representing varied clinical backgrounds. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal a spectrum of perspectives shaped by participants’ roles and levels of exposure to AI. While those with direct experience using AI tools described them as valuable support mechanisms that enhance efficiency and accuracy, participants without such experience expressed cautious optimism alongside concerns about trust, ethical risks, and loss of professional identity. Across all interviews, AI was consistently viewed as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human judgment, empathy, or clinical responsibility. The study highlights the uneven distribution of AI knowledge and adoption across different roles in healthcare, suggesting that current implementation strategies may overlook key professional groups.