New research carried out by the Institute for Ethics in AI, Serene Care, the Digital Care Hub and Care England explores how care leaders are using AI, the challenges they face and the support needed for successful, ethical implementation.
The qualitative study, led by Dr Caroline Emmer De Albuquerque Green, Palvi Dodhia, Director of Serene Care, and Katie Thorn from the Digital Care Hub and Care England, includes a survey of 26 care leaders and 20 interviews. The resulting publication presents the survey findings and initial considerations for a roadmap to support providers, with a fuller report incorporating the interviews due later this year.
Surveyed participants in the study responded to questions around the barriers and facilitators to AI adoption in their service, their way of governing AI and support needs for successful implementation.
The majority of survey respondents used AI daily, with applications including drafting care plans, analysing care notes, medication management, recruitment and AI-enabled falls prevention. Despite low levels of formal training, most respondents using AI felt somewhat or very confident, with many having developed their own policies and governance systems.
However, respondents consistently identified uncertainty around AI governance requirements as a major challenge. The findings also show that AI can create additional responsibilities, with care leaders describing the need to check AI-generated information for accuracy, bias and completeness, alongside concerns about data privacy, overreliance on technology and the potential loss of the human element of care. Time and affordability were further barriers. Respondents raised concerns around the lack of opportunities to explore and test products, expensive or unreliable systems, and a need for better technical support.
The report calls for a more supportive, transparent and collaborative approach to AI adoption, including funding and guidance for digital training. It also highlights the need for the Casey Commission to consider the role of technology in a future care system focused on outcomes for people drawing on care and those working in services.
Explore the survey findings and initial considerations for a roadmap to support care providers – AI has arrived in social care report.
The full report including the interview results will be published later this year.