AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF AI AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF DISTRICT SWAT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the awareness, perception, and concerns regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) among medical students in District Swat, Pakistan.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Medical students from Saidu Medical College and Swat Medical College in District Swat, Pakistan.
Duration: From 10 January to 10 March 2025
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 252 medical students from three institutions in Swat. A structured questionnaire assessed their AI awareness, understanding, perceived benefits, and associated concerns. Data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics, regression, and ANOVA tests.

Results: The majority of students (95.3%) were having prior awareness about AI, the awareness level was 28% (high), 33% (moderate), 39% (low) though their understanding of AI research methods was moderate (M=2.99, SD=1.01). Most students believed AI would improve healthcare (M=3.75, SD=0.95) and supported AI education in medical curricula (M=3.69, SD=0.99). Diagnosis (32.3%) and surgery (21.1%) were identified as the most impacted areas. Concerns about AI replacing physicians were low (M=2.69, SD=1.18), though apprehensions about AI-assisted errors persisted (M=3.27, SD=1.2). ANOVA analysis showed no significant correlation between AI awareness and concerns about AI errors (p=0.585).

Conclusion: Medical students in Swat acknowledge AI’s role in medicine and express a strong interest in learning more about it. While they recognize AI’s benefits in enhancing healthcare efficiency, concerns about AI-related risks remain. The findings highlight the need for AI-focused education in medical curricula to prepare future doctors for AI-integrated healthcare.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical Students, Awareness, Perception