Utilization of AI by the doctors for patient care in tertiary care hospital Peshawar

Introduction: Artificial intelligence is strengthening modern healthcare by assisting with diagnosis, increasing patient monitoring, and lowering physician burden. Despite the fact that industrialized nations have begun to incorporate it into their healthcare systems, developing nations such as Pakistan continue to lag behind. Objective: This study assesses physicians' opinions and understanding about using AI in patient care at Peshawar's tertiary care institutions. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between April and August of 2024 using a self-administered, closed-ended, structured questionnaire. A total of 355 people from a range of professional backgrounds participated in the study. According to the results, just 40.6% of the doctors actually employed AI, despite 91.1% of them being aware of its usage. Results: The results of an exploratory factor analysis showed a moderate but statistically significant correlation between AI knowledge and use (r=0.15, p=0.013). The data's eligibility for factor analysis was validated by the Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (p = 0.006) and the significant Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin score (0.500). Fisher's Exact test emphasized the importance of knowledge and implementation. Conclusion: Despite widespread knowledge, there is little actual use of AI due to obstacles including infrastructure, support, and training. These results demonstrate how urgently Pakistan needs organized AI infrastructure and training to support the growth of its healthcare sector. Improving doctors' proficiency and trust in AI might close the knowledge gap and lead to better patient care.