Physicians who rely on AI in clinical decision-making may be viewed as less competent by their peers, according to an August study published in Nature from Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University.
Researchers conducted a randomized experiment involving 276 clinicians from a major hospital system who evaluated scenarios with physicians using no AI, AI as a primary tool or AI for verification. Clinicians who leaned heavily on AI faced a “competence penalty,” with peers perceiving them as less skilled and delivering lower-quality care.
The study found that using AI for verification partially offset the negative perception, but the most favorable peer evaluations went to physicians who avoided AI altogether.
