READINESS OF ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA SURGEONS TO ADOPT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ANALYSIS OF RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

BACKGROUND. In clinical practice, orthopedic trauma surgeons are often required to interpret diagnostic images without the immediate availability of official radiology reports. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and the overall quality of care. However, the success of AI implementation depends on its acceptance by doctors. Sociological surveys allow assessing awareness of AI capabilities, readiness for its adoption, and the key barriers to their integrating.

AIM. To evaluate the attitudes of orthopedic trauma surgeons toward AI, with a specific focus on its application for the autonomous interpretation of radiological studies.

METHODS. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted among orthopedic trauma surgeons working in Moscow healthcare institutions. Data was collected using an adapted version of the validated ATRAI-14 questionnaire, designed to assess radiologists’ attitudes toward AI. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS. The majority of orthopedic trauma surgeons (62.8%) reported no prior experience with AI for radiological interpretation, and 41.9% indicated a lack of access to such tools in their current practice. Nevertheless, 39.5% expressed willingness to use AI for analyzing radiological studies, while only 18.6% reported actual use of it. The most highly valued functionality, cited by more than one-third of respondents (32.6%), was autonomous triage of studies into “normal” versus “pathological,” followed by specialist interpretation of identified abnormalities supported by decision-support systems.

CONCLUSIONS. Orthopedic trauma surgeons’ attitudes toward AI are neutral and skeptical, reflecting the early stage of innovation adoption in clinical practice. To shift this perception, it is essential to build a robust evidence base for the effectiveness of AI and to implement educational initiatives aimed to develop relevant competencies among specialists.