Medical Doctors' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare.

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Physician Education

Background:

• The rapid advancement of robotics, implants, and imaging technologies is increasing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare diagnostics.
• Understanding physicians' attitudes toward AI and the readiness of medical educators is crucial for AI integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceptions of medical doctors regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare settings.
• To identify challenges and educational needs related to AI implementation among physicians.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search informed the design of a web-based questionnaire.
• The survey comprised four sections: demographics, AI concepts, AI education, and implementation challenges.
• The questionnaire was distributed to medical doctors across various specialties.

Main Results:

• Physicians demonstrated a low level of familiarity with AI, with only 52.12% completing the survey.
• The primary challenge identified was the degree of AI autonomy (3.56 score), with 67.61% citing lack of human supervision as a key barrier.
• Despite challenges, physicians expressed significant interest in learning about AI concepts.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a significant gap in physicians' familiarity with AI in healthcare.
• There is a clear need for medical schools and hospitals to develop targeted education and training programs for physicians on AI.
• Enhancing AI knowledge and addressing implementation concerns are essential for improving patient outcomes through AI.