Artificial Intelligence in Health Care – A Study on Perceptions of and Readiness for Artificial Intelligence in Health-care Professionals

Abstract

Background: With a call to action from the health-care industry and the Indian government, there are significant gaps in health-care professionals’ uptake and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools. This study attempts to explore the current perceptions and readiness for AI among health-care workers. Methods: A web-based questionnaire comprising seven sections on descriptive educational and occupational data, AI familiarity level, role-specific training benefits, training advantages, implementation issues, driving factors, and perceived risks was designed from a literature search. Two additional domains of perception on professional impact and preparedness for AI in health care were estimated using a prevalidated Shinners AI Perception tool. Results: Of the 402 study participants, 192 (47.9%) were doctors from diverse specializations, and the remaining 209 (52.1%) were undergraduate medical and nursing students and affiliated health professionals. Although 79.8% of participants had never attended a course on AI, 82% agreed on the need for training in AI to explore new opportunities in their respective fields. 72.1% of participants agreed that data privacy and confidentiality posed the most significant challenge to AI implementation among the studied factors. Conclusion: This survey reveals awareness regarding AI, which is attributable to a lack of formal training received by health-care professionals. Most participants believed that AI could improve population health outcomes, and collective efforts are needed to make this belief a reality.

Keywords

• ayushman bharat digital mission
• artificial intelligence
• health-care worker
• machine learning
• national digital health mission