Three-quarters of the public support sharing some of their personal health data for the development of AI systems in the NHS, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the Health Foundation.
The health policy charity has found that, of more than 7,000 adults across the UK, 75% were in favour of the idea.
Majorities are also in favour of sharing data for care areas such as their eye health (59%), medicines they are taking (58%) and any long term illnesses they live with (57%).
But the results show less willingness to share some types of data, with only 47% willing to share smartphone tracked data such as sleep activity and 44% willing to share sexual health information (fewer than the number, 46%, who were opposed).
AI is currently being used in healthcare to support staff with tasks such as clinical decision making, analysing scans and test results, and scheduling appointments.
Socioeconomic variations
The polling, published in a new report on public attitudes towards health technologies, also revealed differences in willingness to share data between socioeconomic groups.
Notably, people from socioeconomic groups D and E (in households where the main earner is semi-skilled, unskilled or not in work) are significantly less likely to support the use of any of their health data for AI development than people from other socioeconomic groups. For example, while 16% of people from socioeconomic group A are not happy for any of their health data to be used, this compares with 39% of people from group E.
Analysing the results, the Health Foundation noted these findings highlight the importance of engaging all social groups in the development of new technologies, to ensure they work for everyone and do not inadvertently create or worsen inequalities.
This concern has been reinforced by another finding from the survey. Many people are willing to take part in activities to help shape technology use in the NHS, such as completing a survey or participating in a workshop. Between 29% and 45% are willing to help without being paid, depending on the type of activity.
But people from socioeconomic groups D and E are significantly less willing to take part in these kinds of activities, even if paid.
Staying close to staff
Another finding is that the public is hesitant about technologies that might be seen to ‘distance’ patients from healthcare staff or come between them, such as care robots. People named the ability to see and talk to NHS staff as their most important consideration when thinking about technology use in healthcare, with older people particularly concerned about this. 39% of people aged 65 years and older named this as their most important consideration.
Public trust in the NHS holding personal health data is strong, despite debates in the media about data security and previous controversies such as with the care.data scheme. Around two-thirds of the public were found to have either high or moderate levels of trust in the NHS with their health data.
Director of innovation and improvement at the Health Foundation, Dr Malte Gerhold, said: “It is only with the public’s support that the Government will successfully achieve its ambition of shifting the NHS from analogue to digital.
“It is encouraging that most people are open to sharing their data to develop AI systems in the NHS. When properly implemented, we know that AI has the potential to free up staff by supporting clinical and administrative tasks. However, these systems are only as good as the data used to design and develop them.
‘There are significant differences between socioeconomic groups in levels of support for sharing data for AI development and for taking part in activities to shape how technology is used in the NHS.
“Policy makers, NHS leaders and those involved in designing and implementing health care technologies must proactively engage with people across different social groups to ensure that healthcare technologies help tackle inequalities, rather than worsen them.”
