Attitudes of the surgical team toward artificial intelligence in neurosurgery: an international two-stage cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to disrupt how we diagnose and treat patients. Previous work by our group has demonstrated that the majority of patients and their relatives feel comfortable with the application of AI to augment surgical care. The aim of this study was to similarly evaluate the attitudes of surgeons and the wider surgical team towards the role of AI in neurosurgery. METHODS: In a two-stage cross sectional survey, an initial open-question qualitative survey was created to determine the perspective of the surgical team on AI in neurosurgery, including surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and theatre practitioners. Thematic analysis was performed to develop a second stage quantitative survey that was distributed via social media. We assessed the extent to which they agreed and were comfortable with real-world AI implementation using a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: In the first stage survey, 33 participants responded. Six main themes were identified: imaging interpretation and pre-operative diagnosis; co-ordination of the surgical team; operative planning; real-time alert of hazards and complications; autonomous surgery; post-operative management and follow-up. In the second stage, 100 participants responded. Responders somewhat agreed or strongly agreed about AI utilised for imaging interpretation (62%), operative planning (82%), co-ordination of the surgical team (70%), real-time alert of hazards and complications (85%), and autonomous surgery (66%). The role of AI within post-operative management and follow-up was less agreeable (49%). CONCLUSION: This survey highlights that the majority of surgeons and the wider surgical team both agree and are comfortable with the application of AI within neurosurgery.