Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare among Medical Doctors at a State University Teaching Hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is rapidly increasing. Since medical doctors play a key role in AI implementation, barriers to its effective utilization are particularly evident in teaching hospitals especially among developing countries, where future medical professionals are trained and new technologies are introduced. Objective: The aim of this research was to study the knowledge, attitudes, and extent of utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare among medical doctors at the Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Nigeria. Methods: This study was a prospective descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study among medical doctors at a state university teaching hospital in Enugu state, Nigeria. Results: The results showed that majority (68.8%) of the participants had good knowledge of AI in healthcare. Also, 54.4% of the participants had positive attitudes towards AI and 46.8% of the participants had good utilization. AI utilization remains low due to barriers like high cost of implementation and insufficient training, and there is a critical need for structured AI education, better infrastructure and policy development to enhance adoption. Recommendation: To enhance AI utilization in Nigerian healthcare, we recommend integration of AI into medical education, establishing clear AI policies, increasing government investment in AI infrastructure, organizing continuous AI training programs, incorporating AI-based clinical decision support systems, and conducting awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and ethical concerns.