The Illusion of Control: AI Chatbot Dependency and the Threat to Clinical Autonomy

AI chatbots have introduced a new dimension to how we provide healthcare and support healthcare clinicians. However, despite the benefits of chatbots, their adoption raises ethical concerns related to the effects on users. This study discusses the ethical implications of psychological dependency on autonomy and decision-making in the context of healthcare delivery. Ten studies were analysed, revealing a cascading hierarchy involving the interconnected risks of threats to autonomy, disruption of critical thinking due to over-reliance, and psychological dependency, as well as issues of bias and misinformation in chatbot outputs, limitations in trust and reliability, and a mixed impact on clinicians’ well-being. These findings underscore the importance of adopting a balanced approach to integrating AI chatbots into clinical practice, with a strong emphasis on preserving clinical autonomy to maintain the overall well-being of healthcare practitioners.