DOI: 10.1515/dx-2026-0082 ISSN: 2194-8011

Enhancing diagnostic safety: addressing knowledge gaps for using human factors tools in the safe and effective use of AI – a proposed research agenda

Emily S. Patterson, Grayson L. Baird, David Bates, Jeff Brady, Kenneth R. Catchpole, Linda Gangai, Mark Graber, Ayse P. Gurses, Charles E. Kahn, Elizabeth A. Krupinski, Soundar Kumara, Chris Mamrol, Kristen E. Miller, Timothy J. Mosher, Sarah E. Parker, Mary D. Patterson, Susan Shelmerdine, Joshua Streit, Charlotte van Sassen, Michael H. Kanter, Melissa Carraway, Michael A. Bruno

Abstract

Introduction

Identify knowledge gaps in applying artificial intelligence in clinical settings, using medical imaging as a primary use case to enhance diagnostic efficacy, efficiency, and patient and provider safety.

Methods

We convened a two-day workshop with 18 interdisciplinary experts from three countries. Experts represented quality and patient safety, human factors and systems engineering, radiology and other medical specialties, nursing, medical informatics, cognitive and perceptual psychology, psychometrics and statistics, and machine learning, drawn from academia, industry, health systems, and government.

Results

We identified by consensus six major knowledge-gap domains, with specific research questions for each domain: development, validation, integration and sustainability; redesign of existing healthcare systems; human and team augmentation; deployment of adaptive-learning “Foundation Models;” and balancing innovation, standardization, and regulatory oversight.

Conclusions

We recommend employing a multidisciplinary collaborative approach in future research to leverage transformational AI capabilities anticipated in the next 5–7 years for each of the identified knowledge-gap domains, including ensuring that clinical AI supports diagnostic decision-making, integrates into clinical workflows, and mitigates risks related to automation bias, overreliance, fragmentation of care, and unintended consequences.

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