Perspectives of Anesthesiologists Towards the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Anesthesia Practice in a Developing Country

Abstract

Objective: Several aspects of healthcare have seen tremendous growth with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Anesthesiology has not been left out with a remarkable increase in the application of AI in recent times. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of anesthesiologists in a developing country on the use of AI in their practice. Methods: An online survey was carried out and the survey included questions on sociodemographic data, knowledge, opinion, and concerns on the use of AI in their practice. 44 responses were received and analyzed. Results: A large majority (88.6%) of anesthesiologists had heard about AI but only 6.8% considered themselves to have sufficient knowledge on AI. 68.2% of respondents agreed that AI has useful applications in anesthesia practice, and 56.8% believed that AI would lead to drastic changes in their field. Only a minority of respondents believed that AI abilities will surpass the clinical abilities of human anesthesiologists (13.6%), and that AI will completely replace anesthesiologists in the future (6.8%). There was a significant association between duration of practice and the opinion that AI had useful application in anesthesia practice, as well as between awareness of AI and the opinion that AI abilities are currently superior to the clinical experience of human anesthesiologists. Conclusion: Anesthesiologists do not have sufficient knowledge of AI, and while they are open to applying AI to their practice, anesthesiologists do not expect AI to replace physicians in their practice.