Implications of AI on PA-Patient Relationship
The Changing Dynamics of Trust and Empathy in Health Care
There is no doubt Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of health care by offering opportunities to enhance patient care and streamline clinical operations. As a PA, it is crucial to understand how these technological advancements will impact the PA-patient relationship in the long term and what this means for the dynamics of trust and empathy in health care.
Although the average consumer and health care provider has only recently become aware of AI’s potential, AI in health care is not a new phenomenon. For decades, it has been slowly integrating into various aspects of medical practice. However, recent technological advancements have accelerated its adoption and expanded its capabilities. From predictive analytics and personalized medicine to advanced diagnostic tools, AI is becoming an integral part of the health care ecosystem. I often think of it as old math being applied to new technology.
The PA-Patient Relationship in the Age of AI
One of the primary concerns with the increasing role of AI in healthcare is its potential impact on the PA-patient relationship. The core of this relationship lies in trust, empathy, and personalized care—elements that are inherently human. While AI can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of care, the human aspects of care will always need to be part of the delivery. In fact, I believe AI will make care more human.
Trust is fundamental to the PA-patient relationship. Patients need to trust that their healthcare providers are making the best decisions for their well-being. While AI can augment clinical decision-making by providing data-driven insights and reducing the likelihood of diagnostic errors, the delivery of that care will and should always have a human in the loop. To maintain trust, it is crucial for PAs to be transparent with their patients about how AI is used in their care. Explaining the role of AI in diagnostic processes and treatment planning can help patients understand and trust the technology. Moreover, involving patients in the decision-making process and addressing their concerns about AI can strengthen this trust. This is at the center of patient-centered care, and AI will not change this.
Empathy is another cornerstone of the PA-patient relationship. It involves understanding and addressing the emotional and psychological needs of patients, which is something AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI can assist in identifying patients’ needs and predicting health outcomes, the delivery of empathetic care remains a human endeavor.
PAs must continue to prioritize face-to-face interactions, whether virtual or in-person, and active listening, ensuring that patients feel heard and valued. The use of AI should complement, not replace, these interactions. AI should be leveraged to handle administrative tasks and streamline clinical workflows, so that PAs can have more time to focus on building meaningful connections with their patients.
Changing Dynamics of Trust and Empathy
The integration of AI in health care is already changing the dynamics of trust and empathy. As a profession, we should aim to integrate best practices where we can and continue to learn new tools and technology so that we can continue to enhance the human touch in patient care.
Here are a few ways innovation is influencing these critical aspects of patient care:
>AI-driven tools are improving diagnostic accuracy, leading to improved and better patient outcomes. For example, AI algorithms can now analyze medical images with higher precision than human eyes, detecting early signs of diseases such as cancer. This increased accuracy can enhance patient trust in the health care system, knowing that their conditions are being diagnosed and treated more effectively. Furthermore, early diagnosis means we can achieve better long-term outcomes of many diseases that in the past may have meant living with severe complications.
>AI enables personalized care by analyzing vast amounts of data to tailor treatment plans to individual patients. This personalized approach can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, as treatments are more closely aligned with their specific needs and conditions. Personalized care also fosters a sense of empathy, as patients feel that their unique circumstances are being considered in their treatment. As we continue to learn how to deliver personalized care with more specificity, the balance of your zip code and genetic code will play an even more important role in health outcomes. Digital literacy is as important as health literacy.
>Innovations in telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, powered by AI, are improving access to care for patients in remote or underserved areas. AI-driven virtual health assistants and chatbots can provide 24/7 support, answer questions, and offer medical advice, ensuring that patients receive timely care. Although this area is still developing, we are not far from the time when triaging and screening patients may be fully automated. Democratization of accessibility to care can build trust in the health care system and enhance patient engagement.
As we move forward, it is essential to balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and maintaining the human touch in health care. Here are a few strategies to achieve this balance:
>AI should be seen as a tool that complements and enhances human expertise, not replaces it. PAs should continue to play a central role in patient care, using AI to inform their decisions and provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments. This integration ensures that the human element remains at the forefront of health care.
>To effectively integrate AI into clinical practice, PAs must receive ongoing education and training on AI technologies. Understanding the strengths and limitations of AI will enable PAs to use these tools effectively while maintaining the human aspects of care. Training should also focus on communication skills to ensure that PAs can explain AI-driven decisions to patients clearly and empathetically.
>Ethical considerations are of the utmost importance in the use of AI in health care. Ensuring patient privacy, mitigating biases in AI algorithms, and maintaining transparency are critical to preserving trust and empathy in the PA-patient relationship. Health care organizations must establish ethical guidelines and frameworks to govern the use of AI and protect patient interests.
Complementing Human Expertise with Ethical Considerations
The long-term implications of AI on the PA-patient relationship are profound. While AI offers tremendous potential to enhance patient care, it also poses challenges to the traditional dynamics of care, including trust and empathy. By embracing AI as a tool that complements human expertise and prioritizing transparency, empathy, and ethical considerations, PAs can navigate this era in healthcare while preserving the essence of patient-centered care.
As we continue to innovate and integrate AI into healthcare, it is important to remember that the heart of medicine lies in the human connection and the principle of “do no harm.” By balancing technology with compassion, we can ensure that our patients receive the best possible care and support.

Dipu Patel, DMSc, MPAS, ABAIM, PA-C
Dipu Patel, DMSc, MPAS, ABAIM, PA-C, is a Board Certified PA, Vice Chair for Innovation in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn and author of Digital Health: Telemedicine and Beyond. She has clinical experience in emergency medicine, urgent care and hematology/oncology, and has served on several boards including the Massachusetts Board of Registration for Physician Assistants. She serves as President-elect for the Physician Assistant Education Association.