Trust and Understanding in Healthcare AI

Trust and understanding are central for the successful implementation and use of AI-enabled technologies. Rural healthcare organizations should ensure that both healthcare providers and patients have a clear understanding of how AI tools work, their purpose, and the potential benefits and limitations.

Raising awareness among healthcare providers about the benefits and limitations of AI can support successful adoption. Educational efforts with providers should explain:

• How AI supports (not replaces) clinical judgment
• AI's potential to improve safety and efficiency in care delivery
• Common concerns related to AI, including ethical concerns, efficacy, user satisfaction, usability, and reliability

In addition, transparency tools for providers, such as instructional labels, could further support adoption. Instructional labels can help providers quickly understand how a specific AI tool works, its intended use, limitations, and potential impact on patient care.

For patients, clear communication and transparency can help build trust in AI-supported healthcare. Messaging should address privacy protections and explain the benefits of AI — such as ambient listening, which supports the physician's notetaking during the patient visit. In this case, some patients may want a demonstration of how the AI tool works during their visit.

Together, education and communication with both providers and patients can build trust in AI technologies while also ensuring it is used in a responsible and transparent manner to support patient care.