Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practice of Artificial Intelligence among Medical Students and Doctors at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aims: Artificial Intelligence is no longer a new concept for the medical profession but is still finding its way into the realm of healthcare. Saudi Arabia is attempting to make most of it, especially in major healthcare settings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Faisal University using a self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics as well as knowledge, perceptions, and practice of AI. Universal sampling was implemented to recruit all medical students in the clinical stage of MBBS (Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery) and all available doctors working at KFU. Descriptive analysis and a chi-squared test was applied for determining correlation of sociodemographic variables with outcome variables, i.e., knowledge, perceptions, and practices relating to AI. Results: A total of 159 participants participated in our study. Those who were being taught about AI had significantly more basic knowledge about it (96.9%) than those not being taught about it (81.1%). Knowledge about deep learning was significantly higher among men (43.9%) than women (16.1%). The majority of the participants strongly agreed (84.4%) that AI is essential in medical practice, and most doctors and students have applied AI in the past in the medical field, are willing to practice it in the future, and/or are considering how to include it in the medical curriculum. Conclusions: There is a need for rigorous research, education, and focused training of present and future doctors to help them learn the significance of, and acquire the skills to implement, AI as one component of modern technology