Knowledge and Education about Artificial Intelligence among Medical Students from Teaching Institutions of India: A Brief Survey

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and education about artificial intelligence (AI) among medical students in India. Materials and methods: A web-based questionnaire was designed using Survey Monkey and sent via WhatsApp to second and third-year medical students of three premier medical institutions of India. The questionnaire consisted of ten questions aiming to assess the knowledge and education related to AI and computer language in medical field. The inclusion was voluntary with prior intimation that the results can be used for analysis. Results: A total of 226 students responded to the survey, out of these 115 were boys and 111 were girls with a median age of 20 years. Majority of the students had heard about AI (62.5%) and internet was the main source of information for them. Unfortunately, none wanted to pursue their career in AI. 85.9% students showed interest to learn more about AI, although knowledge about any computer language was lacking in 73% students. 73.4% students were also unaware about journals and publications going on in the field of AI. However, 89.1% students were optimistic about scope of integration of AI in medicine. For all the responses, there was no significant difference between boys and girls. Conclusion: This brief survey highlights that although our medical students are not fully aware about AI and its applications, yet they are keen to learn more about AI and its associated computer logistics. They also understand the potential of AI in medical science which is why the present medical curriculum needs to be AI-oriented.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of artificial intelligence among doctors and medical students in Pakistan: A cross-sectional online survey

“…In our study, 66.6% participants agreed on the notion that implementation of AI in medicine will reduce diagnostic errors which is consistent with the findings of a study done in three premier medical colleges of India concluding that 89% of the students expressed optimistic views regarding the implementation of AI in healthcare [ 23 ]. Also, 69.6% of medical students and 81.8% of doctors from the study population acknowledged that AI can serve as a practitioner's aid soon and most of them don't consider AI as a physician's replacement but rather a physician's diagnostic aid.…”

Differences in Knowledge and Perspectives on the Usage of Artificial Intelligence Among Doctors and Medical Students of a Developing Country: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in a high-income country concluded that the majority of medical students do not feel properly equipped to work with AI tools but realize the rising relevance of AI in healthcare and would want to get further teaching on this emerging field [15]. A similar study in a lower middle-income country also concluded that the majority of medical students are not fully aware of AI [16]. These findings are comparable to the results of our study, in which the majority of students felt that they have limited knowledge about AI principles and applications.…”

Exploring healthcare professionals’ perceptions of artificial intelligence: Validating a questionnaire using the e-Delphi method

“…AI has begun, in an effort to build a framework for education in the future. 35,[65][66][67] These studies acknowledge that understanding of AI is limited amongst medical students and that deciding on the content of education is challenging, but training will be necessary to realise the full capacity of this technology. Education in the healthcare setting needs to be interdisciplinary, and an absence of literature exploring AI education in other health disciplines, suggests that further research is needed.…”