A growing and aging population provides challenges for the healthcare sector, generating higher healthcare costs, and ineffective work process that results in long patient queues and problems with recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. Artificial intelligence (AI) is considered as one means to provide efficient processes for healthcare professionals, e.g. in diagnostics and treatment recommendations. However, research has shown that there are many obstacles to successfully introducing and using AI applications in healthcare, especially by focusing on the organizational level. However, individual healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the transition towards information driven healthcare. 

Therefore, we address the healthcare professionals' perception of the usefulness and value of AI applications, as well as challenges and considerations of this new technology. 

The study is based on an exploratory approach with more than 350 healthcare professionals in Sweden, carried out beginning of 2024. The questionnaire includes perceptions of the use of AI and identifies potential challenges that need to be addressed. The respondents include doctors (92%) and nurses (8%). The sample consists of answers from 221 (62%) male and 136 (38%) female respondents. Most of the respondents work in public hospitals (54%) and health centers (20% public and 14% private). Several AI applications are used by healthcare professionals, spanning from administrative work reduction to new insights in the analysis of complex cases.

Thematic analysis is conducted to create a model of perception of usefulness, values and problems (barriers). The analysis includes a stepwise analysis to identify patterns and themes.

The  results from the project provide insights into how the introduction of AI applications in healthcare changes the work of healthcare professionals and the perceived challenges that need to be addressed to improve their work by using AI. To some extent, implementation and use is based on healthcare professionals’ interest in using new advanced technology but for others the decision to adopt AI is primarily based on formal decisions within the organization. Respondents that have been using AI for at least six months, indicate AI supports decision making, with the main benefit consisting of a more effective and faster work process, while other respondents do not perceive any changes. A surprising result is that healthcare professionals have identified the possibility to test and evaluate new ideas and more complex cases. One interpretation is that AI has made the workload easier, which may allow for more innovative work. Another interpretation is that their experience-based knowledge is augmented by AI, and this makes it possible for them to handle more complex cases.   However, others experience a learning paradox – challenging to find time and learn how to use the technology, while at the same time adopting by testing AI applications.

Conclusions drawn from the ongoing study provide insights on the transformation phase towards implementing and using AI applications in healthcare.