Physicians and AI in healthcare: insights from a mixed-methods study in Poland on adoption and challenges.

Introduction: Understanding healthcare professionals' attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine is crucial for improving patient care and clinical practice. This study combines a systematic review and a survey targeting Polish physicians to explore these attitudes. While many healthcare professionals express enthusiasm and readiness for AI integration, others remain skeptical due to concerns about reliability, ethical implications, and legal accountability. The systematic review highlighted AI's potential benefits, such as improved diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency, alongside challenges like data privacy and the need for validation in atypical scenarios. Materials and methods: This study combines insights from a systematic review and a targeted survey to assess healthcare professionals' attitudes toward AI. The survey focused on Polish physicians, a group uniquely positioned to provide insights due to their healthcare system's specific challenges. Results: The survey revealed optimism among Polish physicians (n86), with 68% ready to adopt AI tools, but underscored the necessity of tailored education and clear implementation guidelines. Discussion: This study provides valuable insights into the dual narrative of optimism and skepticism surrounding AI in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing barriers to maximize its benefits globally.