AI impact on doctors-patients relationship: A review

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare systems is rapidly transforming the dynamics of the doctor-patient relationship. This review examines the multifaceted impact of AI technologies—such as clinical decision support systems, diagnostic tools, and virtual health assistants—on communication, trust, empathy, and decision-making processes between physicians and patients. While AI offers enhanced diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility, it also raises concerns regarding depersonalization, reduced face-to-face interaction, and potential erosion of patient trust. This paper synthesizes current literature to explore both the positive and negative implications of AI, highlighting ethical considerations, the need for human oversight, and strategies for maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered care model in an increasingly digitized clinical environment. The review concludes by proposing a balanced framework that integrates AI capabilities while preserving the core human elements of the doctor-patient relationship.