Perceptions of AI in Healthcare Among Rural and Underserved Populations: A Qualitative Study
Parole chiave:
artificial intelligence in healthcare, rural health disparities, underserved populations, healthcare equity, community perceptions, qualitative study, trust in technology, telemedicine, digital inclusion, healthcare innovationAbstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare systems has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. However, the perceptions and acceptance of AI among rural and underserved populations remain underexplored. This qualitative study investigates the attitudes, concerns, and expectations of individuals from these communities regarding AI in healthcare. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 participants from rural areas and medically underserved regions across three states in the United States. Using thematic analysis, five key themes emerged: limited awareness of AI applications in healthcare, skepticism regarding data privacy and security, concerns about loss of human touch in care delivery, perceived benefits in improving healthcare access, and a conditional openness to AI contingent upon trust and transparency.
