Artificial intelligence in internal medicine: knowledge, clinical use and training needs

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been revolutionising medical practice in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of self-knowledge, personal experience, degree of use and training needs in AI among Spanish internists who are members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) in order to guide their educational activities.

Cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey with demographic variables, categorical questions, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended qualitative questions. Descriptive analysis with differences between age groups. The minimum estimated sample size of representative members was 368.

504 valid responses were analyzed (82% specialists, 16% residents). Self-perceived knowledge of AI was mainly intermediate or basic, with higher levels among those under 30 and lower levels among those over 60. Three out of four respondents had used AI, mainly in clinical practice, followed by research and teaching. The main perceived barriers were lack of specific training, doubts about reliability and ethical-legal issues, as well as technological limitations and resistance to change. The vast majority considered AI training to be important or very important, with particular interest in practical clinical applications, basic fundamentals and tool evaluation. The willingness to incorporate AI into practice was high across all age groups.

Spanish internists have varying levels of knowledge about artificial intelligence, with younger doctors having greater knowledge, and its main current use is in clinical practice. Lack of training is the main barrier to its incorporation, despite high demand for training and a general willingness to adopt it, highlighting the need for training programs and strategies for integrating AI into internal medicine.