Student perspectives on the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare services
Author | Ahmad, Muna N |
Author | Abdallah, Saja A |
Author | Abbasi, Saddam A |
Author | Abdallah, Atiyeh M |
Available date | 2023-11-05T06:14:31Z |
Publication Date | 2023 |
Publication Name | Digital Health |
Resource | Scopus |
ISSN | 20552076 |
Abstract | Background: Healthcare workers are often overworked, underfunded, and face many challenges. Integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare service provision can tackle these challenges by relieving burdens on healthcare workers. Since healthcare students are our future healthcare workers, we assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of current healthcare students at Qatar University on the implementation of artificial intelligence into healthcare services. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of QU-Health Cluster students via an online survey over a three-week period in November 2021. Chi-squared tests and gamma coefficients were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Results: One hundred and ninety-three QU-Health students responded. Most participants had a positive attitude towards artificial intelligence, finding it useful and reliable. The most popular perceived advantage of artificial intelligence was its ability to speed up work processes. Around 40% expressed concern about a threat to job security from artificial intelligence, and a majority believed that artificial intelligence cannot provide sympathetic care (57.9%). Participants who felt that artificial intelligence can better make diagnoses than humans also agreed that artificial intelligence could replace their job (p = 0.005). Male students had more knowledge (p = 0.005) and received more training (p = 0.005) about healthcare artificial intelligence. Participants cited a lack of expert mentorship as a barrier to obtaining knowledge about artificial intelligence, followed by lack of dedicated courses and funding. Conclusions: More resources are required for students to develop a good understanding about artificial intelligence. Education needs to be supported by expert mentorship. Further work is needed on how best to integrate artificial intelligence teaching into university curricula. |
Sponsor | The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by Qatar University internal grant numbers: QUST-1-CHS-2022-322 and QUST-1-CHS-2023-923. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors |
Language | en |
Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc. |
Subject | Artificial intelligence awareness healthcare perception Qatar students |
Type | Article |
Volume Number | 9 |
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Biomedical Sciences [711 items ]
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