Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of the Use of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Decision Making in Saudi Healthcare Settings

Abstract

This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the use of artificial intelligence applications in decision making in Saudi healthcare settings. Employing the descriptive quantitative approach, the research utilized a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The research sample included (80) healthcare professionals in at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh city using the convenience sampling method. The findings from healthcare professionals indicated a cautious optimism about AI tools for patient diagnoses. There is strong confidence in AI’s diagnostic capabilities and workload reduction, aligning with literature on AI's efficiency in clinical settings. However, concerns about ethical issues such as patient privacy, informed consent, and algorithmic bias underscore the need for ethical oversight in AI implementation. While there is a positive view of AI's potential to enhance operational efficiency and access to medical information, skepticism remains regarding its effectiveness in reducing medical errors and providing valuable insights. This highlights the importance of validating AI outputs and ensuring healthcare professionals are properly trained. To address these challenges, several recommendations are suggested: creating comprehensive training programs focused on AI data interpretation and ethics, establishing clear ethical guidelines for AI use, promoting standardization of AI tools, conducting regular audits for accuracy, and fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals and data experts. By adopting these strategies, healthcare organizations can improve the integration of AI tools, build trust, and enhance patient care and operational efficiency.