Shaping future practices: German-speaking medical and dental students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence in healthcare

Abstract

Abstract Background The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare necessitates understanding the perspectives of future practitioners. This study investigated the perceptions of German-speaking medical and dental students regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their future practices. Methods A 28-item survey adapted from the AI in Healthcare Education Questionnaire (AIHEQ) and the Medical Student’s Attitude Toward AI in Medicine (MSATAIM) scale was administered to students in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland from April to July 2023. Participants were recruited through targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram and were required to be proficient in German and enrolled in medical or dental programs. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations, t tests, and thematic analysis of the open-ended responses. Results Of the 409 valid responses (mean age = 23.13 years), only 18.2% of the participants reported receiving formal training in AI. Significant positive correlations were found between self-reported tech-savviness and AI familiarity (r = 0.67) and between confidence in finding reliable AI information and positive attitudes toward AI (r = 0.72). While no significant difference in AI familiarity was found between medical and dental students, dental students exhibited slightly more positive attitudes toward the integration of AI into their future practices. Conclusion This study underscores the need for comprehensive AI education in medical and dental curricula to address knowledge gaps and prepare future healthcare professionals for the ethical and effective integration of AI in practice.