Ethical and Practical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Study of Professional Perceptions

Abstract

Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms medicine by enhancing diagnoses, treatments, resource management, and personalized treatment plans. However, it poses ethical and legal challenges, such as data privacy and equitable access to its benefits. This study seeks to understand healthcare professionals' perceptions of AI regulation in a Costa Rican hospital and analyze the alignment of Latin American regulations with local realities. Methods The research is qualitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional, focusing on AI guidelines and laws in health at both international and national levels. The sample includes healthcare professionals from a private hospital in Costa Rica. Two instruments were used: a documentary review and an online survey. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and correlational statistics with RStudio (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria (https://www.R-project.org/)). Results Eighty healthcare professionals participated in the study. Findings revealed that most exhibited moderate familiarity with AI while underscoring the critical need for robust governance frameworks to navigate the ethical and regulatory complexities surrounding its implementation. Notably, no significant correlation emerged between AI familiarity and demographic factors. Limitations of this study include its focus on a single hospital and the heterogeneous regulatory landscape across Latin American countries. Conclusions The study reveals that the integration of AI in healthcare is promising but complex, requiring a multidimensional approach that includes technical, ethical, and social aspects. Healthcare professionals in Costa Rica show a favorable disposition towards AI, recognizing its potential to improve healthcare, although they also highlight concerns about data privacy, security, and ethics.