Radiographers' readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) leadership: confidence, challenges and role expectations in...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Technology
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Radiography Practice

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly integrating into radiographer workflows, necessitating dedicated leadership roles for safe and effective implementation.
• Radiographers, with their blend of patient care and technical expertise, are well-positioned to lead AI integration in medical imaging and radiotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess UK radiographers' perceived readiness and confidence in AI leadership roles.
• To identify barriers and enablers influencing radiographers' engagement in the AI ecosystem.

Main Methods:

• A UK-wide online survey distributed to radiographers and students (n=273).
• Data collection included demographics, AI knowledge/experience, Likert-scale assessments, and free-text responses.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests; qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis.

Main Results:

• Most radiographers reported low AI literacy and limited hands-on experience, with insufficient education, time, and support identified as key barriers.
• Confidence in AI leadership was lower among women and those with less AI exposure.
• Respondents preferred leading AI integration after systems were implemented rather than initiating the process.

Conclusions:

• Radiographers acknowledge AI leadership's importance but perceive it as operationally focused due to limited exposure and support.
• Role ambiguity and lack of experience hinder the adoption of strategic AI leadership roles.
• Profession-specific education, experiential learning, and organizational support are vital for radiographers to effectively contribute to AI-enabled healthcare transformation.