The Saudi Community View of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care.

OBJECTIVES: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise to revolutionize the field of medicine and enhance the well-being of countless patients. Its capabilities span various areas, including disease prevention, accurate diagnosis, and the development of innovative treatments. Moreover, AI has the potential to streamline health-care delivery and lower expenses. The community should be aware of the potential applications of AI in health care, so that they can advocate for its development and adoption. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the community's perspectives regarding the utilization of AI in health care. METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia during the period of June to October 2023. The questionnaire was distributed to people on various social media platforms using a convenience sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: The study included 771 individuals, with 42.5% having a positive outlook on the use of AI in health care, 31.8% having a neutral view, and 7.5% having a negative view. The only factor associated with a positive opinion was regional differences (P = 0.006). Moreover, participants who used medical apps or programs (P = 0.026), wearables (P = 0.027), felt more confident in using technology (P < 0.001), enjoyed using technology (P < 0.001), found it easier to familiarize themselves with new devices or programs (P < 0.001), and had more knowledge about AI (P < 0.001) had more positive opinions regarding the use of AI in health care. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that most Saudis, especially those who were familiar with the use of technology, support the use of AI in health care, with a positive or neutral view. Yet, targeted campaigns in certain regions are needed to educate the entire community about AI's potential benefits.

Résumé Objectifs:L'intelligence artificielle (IA) promet de révolutionner le domaine de la médecine et d'améliorer le bien-être d'innombrables patients. Ses capacités couvrent divers domaines, notamment la prévention des maladies, le diagnostic précis et le développement de traitements novateurs. En outre, l'IA a le potentiel de rationaliser la prestation de soins de santé et de réduire les dépenses. La communauté devrait être consciente des applications potentielles de l'IA dans les soins de santé, afin qu'elle puisse promouvoir son développement et son adoption. Par conséquent, l'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer les perspectives de la communauté concernant l'utilisation de l'IA dans les soins de santé.Méthodes:Une étude transversale, fondée sur des questionnaires, a été menée en Arabie Saoudite entre juin et octobre 2023. Le questionnaire a été distribué à des personnes sur diverses plateformes de médias sociaux en utilisant une méthode d'échantillonnage de commodité. Les données recueillies ont été analysées à l'aide du package statistique pour les sciences sociales.Résultats:771 personnes ont participé à l'étude, dont 42,5 % avaient un point de vue positif sur l'utilisation de l'IA dans les soins de santé, 31,8 % étaient neutres et 7,5 % étaient négatifs. Le seul facteur associé à une opinion positive était les différences régionales ( P = 0,006). En outre, les participants qui utilisaient des applications ou des programmes médicaux ( P = 0,026), des appareils portatifs (P = 0,027), se sentaient plus confiants dans l'utilisation de la technologie ( P < 0,001), particulièrement en utilisant la technique ( P < 0,001), ont trouvé qu'il était plus facile de se familiariser avec les nouveaux dispositifs ou programmes ( P < 0,001), et avaient plus de connaissances sur l'IA ( P > 0,001).Conclusions:L'étude a révélé que la plupart des Saoudiens, en particulier ceux qui étaient familiers avec l'utilisation de la technologie, soutiennent l'emploi de l'IA dans les soins de santé, avec un point de vue positif ou neutre. Néanmoins, des campagnes ciblées dans certaines régions sont nécessaires pour éduquer l'ensemble de la communauté sur les avantages potentiels de l'IA.

Factors That Influence Undergraduate Medical Students to Choose General Surgery as a Future Career in Saudi Arabia.

Objective The objective of this cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia was to determine the factors that influence Saudi medical students to choose general surgery as their future specialty and pursue it as a career. Study design The study was conducted over a six-month period from December 2022 to May 2023 and employed a cross-sectional design. Patients and methods Undergraduate medical students from various universities in Saudi Arabia were included as study participants. Only those who met the study's criteria completed a questionnaire, and the data collected was analyzed using IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Results Out of the 283 medical students included in the study, 53% were females, and 55.1% were junior students. The results revealed that the most common influential factors towards selecting a general surgical specialty were "Opportunity to be involved in patient care" (86.9%), "Opportunities for higher studies or further specialization" (85.9%), and "Compatible with personality" (84.8%). Conclusion This study concluded that several factors moderately influenced medical students considering general surgery as their future career. Notably, female students were found to be more likely to be influenced by research opportunities, less stressful working conditions, shorter working hours, and having family members in the same specialty.

Assessing the Impact of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Cost-Effectiveness in Saudi Patients With Gallstone Disease: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cholelithiasis, or gallstone disease, is a prevalent medical condition with substantial global implications. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the dominant surgical solution for treating various biliary conditions in affluent countries due to its numerous benefits, such as shorter hospital stays and reduced costs. An assessment of postoperative recovery, patient satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) is crucial to judge the success of any medical procedure regarding long-term patient well-being. Given the scarcity of research on the satisfaction, QoL, and cost-effectiveness of LC among Saudi patients, this study seeks to fill this gap. METHODS: To achieve the study's objectives, a cross-sectional research study was conducted from January to December 2023, focusing on Saudi patients who had received LC for gallstone disease. We utilized an extensive questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction, QoL, and the perceived value of LC, which combined closed and open-ended questions to provide a holistic understanding. Additionally, an in-depth literature review was performed to compare our findings with existing research. RESULTS: Our survey received answers from 886 Saudi LC patients. Generally, participants showed satisfaction with LC, though complications were reported in a significant number of cases. However, a minority of participants were dissatisfied. Most respondents indicated a moderate enhancement in their QoL postsurgery. Notably, demographic factors like gender, age, and employment status had profound effects on satisfaction and QoL, with male participants more likely to report higher satisfaction and QoL than females. CONCLUSION: Our data firmly support the ongoing use of LC as the preferred surgical technique for treating biliary diseases in Saudi Arabia. They emphasize the benefits of personalizing care based on patient demographics to improve the overall experience. Proper communication, thorough preoperative planning, and attentive postoperative care are essential for achieving the best outcomes. Despite these findings, more research is needed, focusing on different patient demographics and comparing LC with other treatment methods to enhance our understanding of gallstone disease management in the Saudi context.