Call for Papers - Theme Issue: Patient and Consumer Use of Artificial Intelligence for Health

Unprecedented advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are set to revolutionize patient care and transform patient-clinician relationships [1]. While current efforts focus on AI use by professionals to gain efficiencies and lower costs, there is limited attention on how patients use AI on their own or how AI use in health care could impact the patient experience. As health care costs and complexities rise, consumer use of AI is poised to accelerate.

The Journal of Participatory Medicine invites submissions for a new theme issue titled “Patient and Consumer Use of Artificial Intelligence for Health.” This theme issue will explore the use of AI for health (AIH) from the perspectives of patients and the public. The journal is seeking papers that examine (a) the experience and impact of patients and health consumers using AI applications, and (b) the involvement of patients, caregivers, and the public in the co-design and development of AIH.

The internet has democratized information and empowered patients and caregivers, and consumer use of AI promises unparalleled opportunities for self-care [2]. Yet, the dawn of AI brings new risks. Patients and the public at large must contribute to the development of AI at all stages, to ensure tools meet their needs and trust is garnered [3]. AIH must enhance, not threaten, human aspects of care or the clinician-patient relationship.

For this theme issue, we welcome original research, reviews, case studies, and viewpoints on insights on patient and public use of AIH. We seek articles that discuss benefits and risks of consumer AIH for self-care, innovation opportunities, and research gaps in the use of AIH by patients and the public. Articles jointly authored with patient advocates are especially welcome. 

Theme issue topics include but are not limited to the following:

Research on the experience, value, and impact of patients and consumers actively using AI tools

•  Explore how patients using generative AI, such as ChatGPT, learn about health issues, understand their health data, or consequently engage in self-care and change behavior.
•  Examine, from the health consumer perspective, how AI chatbots, virtual assistants, or other tools answer queries, assess symptoms, or communicate with health professionals.
•  Understand how patients use AI-powered devices and applications that collect and analyze data and how they can impact behavior and health outcomes.

Co-production and Co-design of AI tools with patients, health consumers, and the public

• Meaningful involvement or consultation of patients and caregivers with lived experience, in the design, development or deployment of AI applications for specific health issues.
• Meaningful involvement or consultation of patients and caregivers with lived experience, in the research of health-related AI applications.
• Democratic deliberation of the public to address key issues of health-related AI, such as privacy, security, ethics, data bias, governance, and the responsible use of personal health data.

Research on the clinical use of AI tools that interact directly with patients and/or caregivers

• Examine, from the patient perspective, the use of clinician-derived AI tools that are directed at the patient and caregiver, such as sending AI-derived content to respond to patients’ secure emails.