Assessing Artificial Intelligence as Information Source among Healthcare Practitioners across health institutions in Jos Metropolis

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in various sectors including the healthcare industry to enhance efficiency though with some barriers.  Therefore, the thrust of this study is to evaluate the use of AI as information source among healthcare practitioners across health institutions in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study relied on the mixed research method, and was anchored on the technology acceptance model. It collected data from 200 respondents through the snowballing sampling technique. Finding indicated that a considerable number of the respondents acknowledged that AI has played key role in different aspects of healthcare service delivery. The result further revealed that older healthcare practitioners don’t usually trust the information given by AI, as such, they hardly use it. Data of the study also showed some challenges of the application of AI which include insufficient knowledge relating to the use of AI in healthcare practice, scepticism of the information given by AI, data privacy concerns, and utilisation of AI could result in healthcare professionals becoming overly dependent on the information it provides, potentially undermining their critical thinking and judgement skills. It was concluded that the respondents showed good knowledge and readiness in the adoption and use of AI communication technologies in carrying out their practice, though with some of them, especially the older ones expressing reservations. The study recommended among others that seminars, workshops and symposia should be organised by relevant authorities to educate the older medical doctors on the need to see AI as an assistant in their practice and not a tool that is here to take over their jobs or make them redundant.