Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. If the implementation is successful it has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes for patients and organisations. Little is known about the perceptions of allied health professionals (AHPs) towards AI in hea...

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Main Authors: Jane Hoffman, Rachel Wenke, Rebecca L Angus, Lucy Shinners, Brent Richards, Laetitia Hattingh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-02-01
Series:Digital Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241311144
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author Jane Hoffman
Rachel Wenke
Rebecca L Angus
Lucy Shinners
Brent Richards
Laetitia Hattingh
author_facet Jane Hoffman
Rachel Wenke
Rebecca L Angus
Lucy Shinners
Brent Richards
Laetitia Hattingh
author_sort Jane Hoffman
collection DOAJ
description Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. If the implementation is successful it has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes for patients and organisations. Little is known about the perceptions of allied health professionals (AHPs) towards AI in healthcare. Objective This study investigated barriers and enablers to AI implementation in the delivery of healthcare from the AHPs perspective. Methods Qualitative methodology informed by behaviour change theory using focus groups with AHPs at a health service in Queensland, Australia. Results Twenty-four barriers and 24 enablers were identified by 25 participants across four focus groups. Barriers included: lack of AI knowledge, explainability challenges, risk to professional practice, negative impact on professional practice, and role replacement. Enablers include AI training and education, regulation, reputation, understanding the healthcare benefits of AI and engaging clinical champions. Conclusions AHPs have concerns about the impact and trustworthiness of AI and the readiness of organisations to support its use. Organisations must take a proactive approach and adopt targeted and multifaceted strategies to address barriers. This may include workforce upskilling, clear communication of the benefits of AI use of local champions and ongoing research.
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spelling doaj-art-a1f0d53770c54cd0a557c2f3f876b5162025-02-04T07:03:39ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762025-02-011110.1177/20552076241311144Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative studyJane Hoffman0Rachel Wenke1Rebecca L Angus2Lucy Shinners3Brent Richards4Laetitia Hattingh5 , Gold Coast, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , Gold Coast, Australia , Brisbane, AustraliaBackground Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. If the implementation is successful it has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes for patients and organisations. Little is known about the perceptions of allied health professionals (AHPs) towards AI in healthcare. Objective This study investigated barriers and enablers to AI implementation in the delivery of healthcare from the AHPs perspective. Methods Qualitative methodology informed by behaviour change theory using focus groups with AHPs at a health service in Queensland, Australia. Results Twenty-four barriers and 24 enablers were identified by 25 participants across four focus groups. Barriers included: lack of AI knowledge, explainability challenges, risk to professional practice, negative impact on professional practice, and role replacement. Enablers include AI training and education, regulation, reputation, understanding the healthcare benefits of AI and engaging clinical champions. Conclusions AHPs have concerns about the impact and trustworthiness of AI and the readiness of organisations to support its use. Organisations must take a proactive approach and adopt targeted and multifaceted strategies to address barriers. This may include workforce upskilling, clear communication of the benefits of AI use of local champions and ongoing research.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241311144
spellingShingle Jane Hoffman
Rachel Wenke
Rebecca L Angus
Lucy Shinners
Brent Richards
Laetitia Hattingh
Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
Digital Health
title Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
title_full Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
title_fullStr Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
title_short Overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice: A qualitative study
title_sort overcoming barriers and enabling artificial intelligence adoption in allied health clinical practice a qualitative study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241311144
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