Perception And Awareness Of Artificial Intelligence Among Medical Professionals In India

Background: Machine learning (AI) is taking over many aspects of healthcare, from diagnosis through treatment to patient care. Nonetheless, the implementation of AI is highly contingent on the awareness, attitude, and willingness of the healthcare professionals towards the adoption of such technologies. Objective: To evaluate the perception, awareness, and readiness of medical professionals in India towards the application of AI in clinical practice. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Hospital, Jaipur, on medical professionals (MBBS students, postgraduates, and faculty)– 344 in number. A structured online questionnaire was developed to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and perception regarding AI. Data were analyzed using SPSS with chi-square and logistic regression tests. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of <0.05. Results: The majority of respondents were male (68.3%) and aged between 22 and 25 years (60.8%). Good knowledge of AI was noted in 68.6% of participants while 88.1% and 76.7% of participants had a positive attitude and favorable perspective, respectively, towards the implementation of AI in healthcare. There were noteworthy correlations between knowledge, attitude, and perspective implications and education, income, and exposure to AI-related training (P < 0.05). A younger age and being male were also associated with more positive attitudes. Conclusion: While there is a high receptiveness towards the adoption of AI by the medical professionals in India, there are also significant knowledge gaps. Systematic initiatives for the education and training of AI will be paramount to address these gaps and to enable an effective, ethical and sustainable implementation of AI in clinical practice