Ethical considerations in telehealth and artificial intelligence for work related musculoskeletal disorders: A scoping review

Issue title: Special Section: Advancements in Telehealth

Guest editors: Gholamreza Hassanzadeh, Albert T. Anastasio, Shamsul Bahri Mohd Tamrin and Ardalan Shariat

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Karaibrahimoglu, Adnan^a | İnce, Fuat^b | Hassanzadeh, Gholamreza^{c; d; e} | Alizadeh, Ali^c | Bagheri, Kian^f | Yucel, Irem^g | Shariat, Ardalan^{c; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkiye | [b] Department of History of Medicine and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkiye | [c] Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [d] Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [e] Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [f] Department of Medicine, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, NC, USA | [g] Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkiye

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Ardalan Shariat, PhD, Assistant Professor in Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: a-Shariat@sina.tums.ac.ir.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The integration of AI and telehealth applications in healthcare raises ethical concerns such as bias, transparency, data privacy, and accountability for errors. Several studies have assessed this topic, particularly with regard to musculoskeletal disorders, which will be the focus of this manuscript. OBJECTIVE:We will examine key ethical concepts including informed consent, data protection, confidentiality, physician malpractice, liability, and telemedicine regulations. METHODS:Ethical issues pertaining to the topic were explored through a review paper. The primary objective of this scoping review was to map and synthesize the existing literature concerning ethical considerations in telehealth and AI for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RESULTS:Research demonstrates that medication effectiveness, patient and physician satisfaction, and accessibility costs are higher with telemedicine and AI methods compared to in-person approaches, particularly for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, addressing ethical issues, including patient data privacy and security, is crucial in this field. By considering these factors, the adoption of emerging AI and telemedicine applications, especially for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, is likely to increase. CONCLUSION:AI and telemedicine offer significant advantages, particularly in addressing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, ethical and legal issues surrounding their practice require standardized rules to ensure equitable access, quality care, sustainable costs, professional liability, patient privacy, data protection, and confidentiality. Further practical research studies are needed to address these considerations more effectively.

Keywords: Ethics, telehealth, digital health, telemedicine, musculoskeletal disease, artificial intelligence, mHealth

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240187

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 1577-1588, 2024