Assessing Medical Students' Perception of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to unlock numerous advancements and positive changes in healthcare. However, concerns such as bias, privacy, and accountability are being considered alongside the potential benefits. A 28-question survey was distributed to medical students at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (USD SSOM) to assess their perceptions of AI in healthcare. Responses were measured using a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed through regression analysis and ANOVA tests. Overall, medical students found AI's integration into healthcare to be neutral, with no significant difference in the overall view of AI between the four medical school cohorts. Aspects of this study, notably views on diagnostic radiology, highlight a dual perception of AI in healthcare: recognition of the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy alongside concerns about possible job displacement. While medical students currently maintain a neutral stance toward AI in healthcare, there exists a foundational optimism that could be nurtured through education and practical experience. Emphasizing the importance and irreplaceable nature of human labor in the workforce may aid in easing the skepticism of those wary of integrating AI into healthcare.