Thesis
Exploring healthcare professionals’ perceptions of artificial intelligence technology in the delivery of healthcare
Southern Cross University, School of Health and Human Science
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.312
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Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is perhaps the great generational promise for healthcare, given that it offers a means to improve and renew healthcare. The advantage of AI lies in its ability to distil the rich, inherent knowledge that is embedded in natural datasets into timely and practical outcomes. Although its influence on the healthcare industry is yet unknown, AI can redefine the role of the healthcare professional, change standards of practice and remodel frameworks of care. Despite the world’s exponential growth in data, information tooling and computing power, little is known about how healthcare professionals perceive and understand AI. However, these insights are critical because they will help organisations better understand the human–technology relationship and prepare the workforce for AI’s implementation into the delivery of healthcare.
This thesis aimed to explore how healthcare professionals perceive AI in the delivery of healthcare. A pragmatic approach supported by socio-technical systems theory guided its process of inquiry. An integrative review further revealed that scant research has explored this topic, and that no existing tools can reliably measure healthcare professionals’ perception of AI. Therefore, the e-Delphi technique was implemented to develop a tool and psychometrically test it with 252 healthcare professionals. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 10-item tool was valid and reliable, and that it measured two perceptions: AI’s influence on the professional role, and preparedness for AI. A final cross-sectional multi-site study was conducted to identify how healthcare professionals perceive AI in healthcare. The study found that professional discipline, age, desire for education and AI use significantly affected AI perceptions; however, it also found that healthcare professionals overall believed that AI would affect their role and that they did not feel prepared for its use. This study demonstrated that understandings of AI are diverse and that workforce knowledge is considered the greatest barrier to implementation. Finally, it was found that healthcare professionals seek education about AI, including its application and ethical implications in the delivery of care.
The findings of this thesis ultimately highlight the urgent need to educate and prepare the workforce in regard to AI, or the value of AI technology will be undermined, its implementation will be difficult and a crucial opportunity to engage healthcare professionals in its development and implementation will be lost.
Details
- Title
- Exploring healthcare professionals’ perceptions of artificial intelligence technology in the delivery of healthcare
- Creators
- Lucy Shinners
- Contributors
- Sandra Grace (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityChristina Aggar (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityStuart Trevor Smith (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University, School of Health and Human Science
- Number of pages
- xvi, 160
- Identifiers
- 991013143811902368
- Copyright
- © Lucy Shinners 2023
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Thesis