Healthcare professionals embrace AI when benefits are clear and training is strong

The mass adoption of artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry depends on how professionals perceive and engage with the technology. A new study published in Businesses sheds light on the factors influencing AI adoption in Portugal’s healthcare sector.

The research, “Factors Influencing the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: A Study on the Role of Knowledge and Benefits in Clinical and Managerial Decision-Making”, reveals that knowledge and perceived benefits are the strongest drivers of AI adoption, while perceived challenges play little to no role in slowing implementation.

Why does knowledge matter in adopting AI in healthcare?

The study surveyed 100 healthcare professionals, including 61 clinicians and 39 managers, using structural equation modeling to measure the relationship between knowledge, benefits, challenges, and adoption intent. The results make clear that knowledge of AI is the single most important predictor of adoption. Healthcare professionals who understand how AI works are far more likely to embrace it, while those with limited exposure remain hesitant or indifferent.

Knowledge also acts as a mediator between perceived benefits and adoption intention. This means that the advantages of AI, such as improving diagnostic accuracy or optimizing hospital logistics, only translate into genuine adoption when users have the necessary awareness and literacy to appreciate those benefits. Without knowledge, the study finds, the potential of AI remains abstract and unconvincing.

The findings expose a critical gap in Portugal’s healthcare system: a shortage of AI literacy among doctors, nurses, and administrators. While enthusiasm for digital tools is growing, many professionals still lack training or practical exposure. This gap risks slowing the country’s transition to a more efficient and technology-enabled healthcare sector.

Do challenges prevent AI adoption?

Surprisingly, the study concludes that perceived challenges do not significantly deter professionals from adopting AI. Respondents acknowledged obstacles such as algorithm complexity, ethical issues, legal frameworks, and data integrity, but these concerns did not translate into rejection of the technology. In some cases, challenges acted as motivators, pushing professionals to seek solutions rather than abandon adoption altogether.

This finding challenges the prevailing assumption that barriers like technical difficulty or legal uncertainty automatically discourage uptake. Instead, healthcare professionals appear to view obstacles as manageable, provided the benefits are clear and knowledge is sufficient.

The study notes that Portugal’s centralized healthcare system and slow pace of digital transformation create unique difficulties, from bureaucratic delays to limited funding. Yet the willingness of professionals to push forward despite these obstacles highlights a growing recognition that AI is no longer optional. For many, the urgency of reducing costs, cutting waiting times, and improving patient care outweighs the risks.

What benefits do professionals expect from AI in healthcare?

Respondents consistently identified tangible benefits that drive their willingness to adopt AI. These include:

• Improved diagnostics: AI is seen as a tool to enhance the accuracy of medical imaging and early detection of diseases.
• Optimized hospital logistics: From scheduling to resource allocation, AI promises more efficient management of complex systems.
• Reduced cancellations: Predictive systems can minimize last-minute disruptions in surgeries or medical appointments.
• Cost reduction: By improving efficiency, AI can help curb rising healthcare costs.
• Shorter waiting times: Automated triage and predictive demand models can reduce the burden on patients.

The study states that these perceived benefits are not theoretical but reflect pressing needs in Portugal’s healthcare system. Hospitals face long waiting lists, budget constraints, and logistical inefficiencies that AI could help alleviate.

Crucially, the authors highlight that professionals’ recognition of these benefits is directly linked to their intent to adopt. Where AI’s advantages are clearly communicated and understood, adoption is more likely to follow.

Implications for healthcare policy and management

Policymakers are urged to invest in educational initiatives that demystify AI and equip professionals with the skills needed to integrate it into daily practice. Communication strategies should emphasize real-world benefits, demonstrating how AI can address long-standing problems in patient care and system management.

In addition, the authors call for broader stakeholder involvement. Adoption should not be limited to healthcare professionals alone but should also engage regulators, technical experts, and patient advocacy groups to create a collaborative ecosystem.

The research highlights an important paradox: challenges such as legal frameworks or ethical debates, while real, are not what hold back adoption. Instead, the bottleneck lies in knowledge and in the ability to connect AI’s benefits to the realities of clinical and managerial practice.

A roadmap for accelerating AI in healthcare

The findings from this study present a clear roadmap for advancing AI adoption in healthcare. Efforts should prioritize:

• Expanding AI literacy programs for clinicians and managers to bridge the knowledge gap.
• Communicating tangible benefits through case studies and real-world applications.
• Designing inclusive adoption strategies that involve all relevant stakeholders.
• Reframing challenges as solvable issues rather than insurmountable barriers.

By focusing on knowledge and benefits rather than obstacles, Portugal’s healthcare system can accelerate its digital transformation and deliver measurable improvements for patients.