Exploring Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Among Future Physicians: Insights From a Medical College in Central India.

INTRODUCTION

Medical students, as future healthcare professionals, are pivotal in the adoption and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical settings. Their ability to effectively engage with AI technologies is shaped by their understanding, attitudes, and perceived significance of AI in medicine. Given the growing prominence of AI in the medical field, it is crucial to evaluate how well-prepared medical students are to integrate and use these technologies proficiently.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 undergraduate medical students at a medical college in Central India with the objective to evaluate their readiness for the integration of medical AI into their future clinical practice, utilizing the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean age of respondents was 21.39 ± 1.770 years with 282 (58.5%) male participants. The respondents were almost equally distributed among all Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) batch students. The average MAIRS-MS score came out to be 74.61 ± 10.137 out of a maximum of 110, whereas the mean values of various subscales of MAIRS-MS were as follows: Cognition Factor, 26.23 ± 4.417; Ability Factor, 27.62 ± 4.372; Vision Factor, 10.37 ± 1.803; and Ethics Factor, 10.39 ± 1.789.

CONCLUSION

Although there is overall readiness for AI among the respondents, significant variation exists among individuals, especially in the areas of Cognition and Ability. The data highlights the necessity for focused educational programs to improve AI knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding, ensuring that every respondent is well-equipped to handle the advancing field of AI in medicine.