'Medical Minds and Machine Learning': Awareness and Opinions on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Institute of Kolkata, India

Abstract

Introduction: There is a need to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical education which may help in expanding awareness on role of AI in healthcare among the students. Objectives: To assess the awareness and opinions on role of AI in healthcare among undergraduate medical students of a Tertiary Care Institute of Kolkata and to identify any associated sociodemographic factors with their awareness on AI. Method: Descriptive study was conducted using consecutive sampling among 288 undergraduate medical students using a pretested questionnaire, from August - October (2023). Participants with an 'overall awareness score on AI' equal to or above median were categorized as having 'high awareness'. Association of sociodemographic profile with awareness was assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: Almost half (51%) of the students belonged to Phase III of MBBS. Around 70.8% believed AI will reduce medication errors, while 83.3% opined AI will aid in healthcare-oriented research. 53.5% had low awareness on role of AI. Higher odds of low awareness were found among students whose parents were involved in healthcare. Conclusion: Almost half of the students had high awareness on role of AI in healthcare. More seminars, workshops etc., may be helpful in generating further awareness and orientation among the undergraduate medical students for appropriate use of AI applications in future.

Keywords

• artificial intelligence
• awareness
• machine learning
• medical education