Oral Presentations Abstracts: CONSIDERING THE ROLE AND NATURE OF EMPATHY, COMPASSION AND TRUST IN THE ERA OF AI IN HEALTHCARE

Abstract

View of Volume 66, Special Issue, September 2021

Empathy, compassion and trust are fundamental values of a patient-centred, relational model of care. In recent years, quest for greater efficiency, including economic efficiency, has often resulted in the side-lining of these values, making their practice difficult.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly entering healthcare promising greater efficiency and more free time for healthcare professionals to focus on the humanist side of care, including fostering trust relationships and engaging with patients with empathy and compassion.

This paper problematises the vision of efficient, empathetic and trustworthy care put forward by the AI proponents. It suggests that AI has the potential to fundamental alter the way in which empathy compassion and trust are currently considered and practiced. Moving forward, it is important to re-evaluate whether and how these values could be incorporated and exercised in an era of AI healthcare, but most importantly to re-examine what kind of healthcare society ought to promote.