Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of
human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer
systems. AI technology has wide applications in biomedicine and
has real practical benefits in many medical applications. The aim
was to assess the knowledge, practice, perception, and expectations
about AI technology among staff of Federal Medical Centre
Makurdi Benue state, Nigeria.
J
Health
Sci.
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study over a
period of three months from March to May 2023. The respondents
were 18 years and above. The questionnaire was self-administered
employing convenience sampling method to recruit responders.
Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
RESULT: A total of 384 respondents were recruited. The mean
(SD) age of the respondents was 42.3(±11.1). Most were aged 41-50
(34.4%). There were more females (56% (215)). Most of the
respondents (69% (264)) attested to knowing AI technology.
However, the majority (87% (231)) of the 264 respondents who
knew about AI technology did not have in-depth knowledge.
Regarding practices, more than half of the respondents (55.3%) did
not think AI makes their task easy. The majority of the respondents
(90.3%) believed AI technology is essential in the medical field and
most of the respondents (12.2%) were expecting to acquire AI
technology skills in the future.
CONCLUSION: The in-depth knowledge of AI technology was
low. Most of the staff thought that AI technology did not make their
task easy although they believe AI is essential in medical field and
they expect the acquisition of more skills on AI technology in
future.
