%0 Journal Article
%T Medical Students’ Perspectives on Trust in Medical AI: A Quantitative Comparative Study
%A Jana Kajanova
%A Anamaria Badrov
%J Asian Journal of Ethics in Health and Medicine
%@ 3108-5059
%D 2024
%V 4
%N 1
%R 10.51847/36mpdZ9AZ8
%P 44-57
%X Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to become an integral component of clinical practice in the near future. This technological shift will inevitably influence the education and perspectives of current medical students. The present research explores how trust in medical AI is perceived by three groups of students: those studying in Croatia, students enrolled in Slovakia, and international students pursuing medical studies in Slovakia. Data were gathered in the latter half of 2022 through a paper-based questionnaire administered to a non-randomized convenience sample. A total of 1715 participants from five Croatian and three Slovak medical faculties took part in the survey. Only 38.2% of respondents reported familiarity with AI concepts, whereas 44.8% anticipated future use of AI in their professional work. Students generally assessed patient preparedness for adopting such technologies as low. A majority (59.1%) expressed concern that AI could harm the physician–patient relationship, and 51.3% believed patients’ trust in doctors would decline. International students were least likely to share these views, while Croatian and Slovak students indicated stronger agreement. Regarding confidence in the healthcare system, 40.9% of Croatian and 56.9% of Slovak respondents perceived low public trust, compared with just 17.3% of international students. Differences were also significant in students’ confidence to explain AI applications to patients, with international students reporting the lowest levels, whereas Slovak and Croatian peers showed greater readiness. The findings highlight contrasting perspectives among medical students from different backgrounds regarding AI in healthcare, particularly in relation to trust. International students’ views diverged considerably from those of Croatian and Slovak participants. The results underscore the need for medical curricula to incorporate AI education while accounting for sociocultural contexts that may influence acceptance and implementation.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/medical-students-perspectives-on-trust-in-medical-ai-a-quantitative-comparative-study-t3cpioqeamabetj