Abstract
Artificial intelligence technology has advanced rapidly in recent years and has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes. However, technology uptake will be largely driven by clinicians, and there is a paucity of data regarding the attitude that clinicians have to this new technology. In June–August 2019 we conducted an online survey of fellows and trainees of three specialty colleges (ophthalmology, radiology/radiation oncology, dermatology) in Australia and New Zealand on artificial intelligence. There were 632 complete responses (n = 305, 230, and 97, respectively), equating to a response rate of 20.4%, 5.1%, and 13.2% for the above colleges, respectively. The majority (n = 449, 71.0%) believed artificial intelligence would improve their field of medicine, and that medical workforce needs would be impacted by the technology within the next decade (n = 542, 85.8%). Improved disease screening and streamlining of monotonous tasks were identified as key benefits of artificial intelligence. The divestment of healthcare to technology companies and medical liability implications were the greatest concerns. Education was identified as a priority to prepare clinicians for the implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare. This survey highlights parallels between the perceptions of different clinician groups in Australia and New Zealand about artificial intelligence in medicine. Artificial intelligence was recognized as valuable technology that will have wide-ranging impacts on healthcare.
Highlights
Artificial intelligence technology has advanced rapidly in recent years and has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes
Completed surveys were received from 20.4% of members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) (1279 fellows, 212 trainees), 5.1% of members of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) (4505 fellows and trainees) and 13.2% of members of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) (621 fellows, 113 trainees)
ACD respondents were from Australia, whereas RANZCO and RANZCR respondents were from Australia and New Zealand
Summary
Artificial intelligence technology has advanced rapidly in recent years and has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes. The majority (n = 449, 71.0%) believed artificial intelligence would improve their field of medicine, and that medical workforce needs would be impacted by the technology within the decade (n = 542, 85.8%). Major advances in research on artificial intelligence (AI) have been applied to medical image analysis with promising r esults[1,2] This technology is poised for clinical application. Few studies have examined clinician perceptions of new AI technologies on healthcare provision and the clinical workforce Those that have been conducted have surveyed the potential impacts of AI in samples of medical students[12,13,14], radiology trainees15, radiologists16–18, pathologists19, psychiatrists[20], general practitioners (GP)[21], as well as general physicians, surgeons, and trainees[22,23], with contrasting results. Surveys of medical s tudents[12] and radiology t rainees[15] have highlighted concerns about the implications of AI for training and employment p rospects[24,25,26,27]
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