Physicians behavioural intentions towards AI-based diabetes diagnostic interventions in India

Artificial Intelligence (AI) interventions in healthcare must be well-accepted and understood by physicians and medical practitioners before they are fully adopted for the patient’s well-being. AI-based diabetes diagnostic interventions can contribute to early diagnosis, accuracy and decision-making, providing a basis for disease prediction, determining the course of action for diabetes therapy and management. Keeping this in view, the current research builds on the technology acceptance model (TAM) to examine the physicians’ perceptions about AI-based diabetes diagnostic interventions and test their experience with the AI intervention as a moderator.

Respondents were traced and engaged through online and offline surveys based on a questionnaire adapted from earlier research. Data (N = 202) were collected via purposive sampling from two states in India, which were then analysed using structured equation modelling.

In comparison with other sectors, AI adoption in healthcare is increasing, but at the same time, AI-based diabetes diagnostic interventions among doctors are low. Our results show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and subjective norms directly impact a doctor’s behavioural intention to use AI technologies. Moreover, perceived risk associated with AI technologies exerts a negative influence. Further, the study found that experience with AI tools positively moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk and behavioural intentions.

Most physicians, diabetologists and endocrinologists appear to be aware of the increasing application of AI-based diabetes diagnostic interventions but lack practical experience and related knowledge, leading to little or no adoption. Further education and hands-on training should be conducted to improve user experience.