Pragmatic awareness of Artificial Intelligence among medical students: a coss-sectional survey
Awareness of Artificial Intelligence among medical students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52442/jrmi.v11i1.902Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence , AI Awareness, Cross-Sectional Survey, Healthcare, Medical Education, Medical Students, PakistanAbstract
Background: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medicine is revolutionizing both clinical practice and medical education. However, the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of medical students towards AI remain underexplored.
Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge attitudes and perceptions of medical students towards the integration of AI technologies in medical education, clinical practice, and healthcare decision-making.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students at Rehman Medical College (RMC) Peshawar, Pakistan. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, knowledge of AI, attitudes towards its use in medicine, and perceptions of its role in medical education and practice. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied to analyze the data.
Results: Of 100 medical students, 85% were aged 18-25 years, with 60% females and 40% males. Only 10% had additional AI training, and 20% had attended AI-related talks (p=0.04). About 50% were competent in computer literacy, and 55% frequently used computer technology for learning (p=0.03). Regarding AI’s impact, 40% agreed it reduces medical errors (p=0.02), and 45% felt it facilitates physicians' access to information (p=0.01). However, 15% expressed concerns about AI damaging the physician-patient relationship (p=0.04). In AI in medicine, 92% had used AI applications, and 75% believed AI would positively transform medicine (p=0.02). While 40% feared job reductions in medical staff (p=0.05), 75% thought AI would improve patient care (p=0.04). For AI education, 85% supported its inclusion in the curriculum, with 50% favoring practical content (p=0.02) and case studies (p=0.01). 90% agreed AI education should be available to all medical staff (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Medical students at Rehman Medical College showed a positive attitude towards AI’s potential to improve healthcare. However, there is a clear demand for more focused AI education, including practical applications and case studies.
References
Topol EJ. Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again. New York: Basic Books; 2019.
Chen Y, Zhang Y, Wu J. Adoption of AI Technologies in Clinical Medicine: Perspectives of Medical Students. BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):45-53. doi:10.1186/s12909-023-04578-9.
Binns S, Harper S, Tupper S. The Role of AI in Medical Education and Practice: A Review of Perceptions Among Healthcare Professionals. J Med Educ. 2022;56(3):150-60. doi:10.1080/10872981.2022.1234567.
Johnson K, Wong F. Preparing Medical Students for AI in Clinical Practice. J Med Educ. 2023;57(3):112-8. doi:10.1080/10872981.2023.1122334.
Muthukumar S, Malekzadeh R, Schwartz M. Ethical and Professional Challenges in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. J Clin Ethics. 2022;33(3):249-58. doi:10.1080/10872981.2022.9876543.
Almeida S, Gupta T, Binns S. AI in Medical Education: A National Survey of Student Competencies and Expectations. Health Technol. 2024;14(3):45-60. doi:10.1007/s12553-024-00835-2.
Ahmad I, Asghar Z, Kumar T, Li G, Manzoor A, Mikhaylov K, et al. Emerging technologies for next generation remote health care and assisted living. IEEE Access. 2022;10:56094-132. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3177278.
Patel V, Hussain Z, Nasir R. Medical Student Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Med Educ Online. 2021;26(1):1927253. doi:10.1080/10872981.2021.1927253
Petersen E, Potdevin Y, Mohammadi E, Zidowitz S, Breyer S, Nowotka D, et al. Responsible and regulatory conform machine learning for medicine: A survey of challenges and solutions. IEEE Access. 2022;10:58375-58418. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3178382
