The future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in dermatology is being explored with a mixture of confidence and caution. AI shows promise for improving patient-clinician interactions and supporting personalized care in atopic dermatitis (AD) management. However, concerns linger about the potential pitfalls, including misinformation, patient confusion, and erosion of clinician authority. As the benefits of the AI revolution gain traction, experts recommend careful and deliberate integration into patient care.
AI and AD: The Survey
AI technologies are increasingly used across medical disciplines, and dermatology is no exception. Health care professionals are viewing AD as one of the chronic conditions where AI innovations could have a role in management, significantly reducing disease burden on both patients and health care systems worldwide.
A recent multicenter survey, distributed electronically to an experienced, international group of specialists, explored perceptions of AI’s benefits and risks in AD care.
- 90 professionals were approached; 38 responded
- 33 dermatologists (87%) were among the respondents
- 84% practiced in hospital settings
- 87% employed therapeutic action plans
- 90% utilized patient follow-up tools
- 79% reported engaging in shared decision-making, underscoring a progressive approach to patient-centered care
Positive Findings
Respondents were generally optimistic about AI’s role in AD management.
- 86% believed AI could facilitate better patient–clinician interaction
- 90% agreed AI could help prep for consultations, enhancing efficiency and clinician preparedness
Many respondents also recognized the potential of AI in predicting disease flares and offering personalized responses. They acknowledged the capacity of AI tools to supplement clinician efforts without replacing human judgment. As one respondent noted, AI can be “a valuable adjunct to enhance patient engagement and support individualized management plans.”
Concerns and Cautionary Notes
However, the respondents highlighted certain concerns regarding the risks associated with AI integration. A predominant worry was that patients might receive inaccurate answers from AI tools, compromising their safety. Many noted the possibility of AI providing dangerous responses that could lead to adverse outcomes if unchecked, and that AI had the potential to increase patient confusion.
- 90.6% believed patients might receive inaccurate answers from AI tools
- 75% were concerned AI responses could lead to adverse outcomes
- 66.7% feared AI could lead to more questions or misunderstandings
Ethical and trust issues also surfaced, particularly regarding misinformation and the erosion of clinician authority. One expert emphasized:
“While AI has exciting potential, we must exercise caution to prevent misinformation and maintain trust in the clinician-patient relationship.”
Risks, Benefits, and Future Directions
Although the survey’s modest sample size and potential selection bias should be noted, it underscores the need for caution in AI’s deployment in clinical settings, as well as added therapeutic patient education. The authors emphasize that different AI applications — chatbots, predictive algorithms, educational tools — have varied roles and safety considerations, with each modality warranting specific validation and safeguards before routine use.
Chronic conditions like AD rely on long-term adherence to treatment plans to influence outcomes, and AI-powered tools present an intriguing solution by offering accessible, personalized education and support. However, clear guidelines, clinician training, and robust validation are essential to ensure safe and effective integration.
In practice, AI should be viewed as a complementary tool, augmenting clinician judgment and empathetic engagement to improve patient-centered outcomes in dermatology.
