37 per cent of disabled people fear being left behind as AI becomes more prevalent in healthcare
Research by Nottingham software company nuom has revealed growing concern among people with disabilities that the rise of AI in healthcare could lead to exclusion for those less confident with technology.
nuom’s study ‘AI in Healthcare: Why Public Trust Remains the Critical Missing Ingredient’ reveals that while people increasingly embrace technology for health management, they remain deeply sceptical about AI-powered healthcare solutions specifically.
The health technology consultancy commissioned an independent survey of 2,000 UK adults, revealing that nearly two-thirds of respondents with a physical or mental disability believe the development of AI in healthcare could result in speed and efficiency being prioritised over the personal, human support that some patients rely on.
37 per cent worry that they’ll be left behind as AI becomes more prevalent in the healthcare sector, underlining the importance of inclusive technologies for those who may already face access barriers.
Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of respondents with a disability are concerned that advances in AI healthcare tools could exclude individuals who lack confidence in using technology.
This matters for a significant part of the population, says nuom. According to the latest government figures, 16.1 million adults in the UK have a disability, equivalent to 24 per cent of the population.
The survey also revealed that 74 per cent think that companies that design AI for healthcare should do so with input from people with disabilities to make sure it meets their needs.
That said, nearly half of respondents stated that they would trust AI tools to assist with tasks such as medication reminders and automatic repeat prescriptions, highlighting areas where digital tools could provide valuable support, if implemented with accessibility in mind.
Martin Sandhu, Managing Partner at nuom, said: “The benefits of AI in healthcare are becoming more well known, from improving outcomes to easing pressure on stretched frontline services. But without inclusive design at its core, there’s a real risk that these technologies could widen the very inequalities they’re meant to help address.
“Our research shows that many people with disabilities fear being left behind by rapid developments in healthcare technologies. That’s why it’s essential they’re involved in the design and development process from the start, not as an afterthought, but as active contributors.
“Done well, AI has the potential to improve accessibility, offer more personalised care, and support greater independence. But to get there, we need to build systems that work for everyone.”
Tunstall Healthcare’s recent report explores how technology can prevent and minimise unnecessary access to healthcare systems while enabling individuals to remain at home, thus reducing reliance on costly health and social care services.
