IPROC iproc Iproceedings 2369-6893 JMIR Publications Toronto, Canada v7i1e35389 27734952 10.2196/35389 Abstract Abstract Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Among Dermatologists in Morocco: A National Survey Derrick Thomas Chakiri Radia MD 1
Department of Dermatology and Venereology Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy University Hospital Souss Massa Tilila, Agadir Agadir, 80000 Morocco 212 5282 34041 r.chakiri@uiz.ac.ma
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0905-4908 Lahlou Laila MD, MPH 2 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9659-826X Department of Dermatology and Venereology Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy University Hospital Souss Massa Agadir Morocco Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy University Hospital Souss Massa Agadir Morocco Corresponding Author: Radia Chakiri r.chakiri@uiz.ac.ma Jan-Dec 2021 17 12 2021 7 1 e35389 2 12 2021 3 12 2021 ©Radia Chakiri, Laila Lahlou. Originally published in Iproceedings (https://www.iproc.org), 17.12.2021. 2021

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 Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic, and the use of AI in our day-to-day lives has increased exponentially. AI is becoming increasingly important in dermatology, with studies reporting accuracy matching or exceeding that of dermatologists in the diagnosis of skin lesions from clinical and dermoscopic images. However, little is known about the attitudes of dermatologists in Morocco toward AI.

 Objective

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the attitudes of dermatologists in Morocco toward AI.

 Methods

An online survey was distributed through Google Forms (Google LLC) to dermatologists in Morocco and was open from January to June 2021. Statistical analysis of the data collected was performed using Jamovi software. Any association for which the P value was <.05 was considered statistically significant.

 Results

In total, 183 surveys were completed and analyzed. Overall, 79.8% of respondents were female, and the median age was 35 years (IQR 25-74 years). A total of 30.6% stated that they were not aware of AI, and 34.4% had a basic knowledge of AI technologies. Only 7.7% of the respondents strongly agreed that the human dermatologist will be replaced by AI in the foreseeable future. Of the entire group, 61.8% agreed or strongly agreed that AI will improve dermatology, and 70% thought that AI should be part of medical training. In addition, only 32.2% reported having read publications about AI. Female dermatologists showed more fear pertaining to the use of AI within dermatology (P=.01); this group also suggested that AI has a very strong potential in the detection of skin diseases using dermoscopic images (P=.03).

 Conclusions

Our results demonstrate an overall optimistic attitude toward AI among dermatologists in Morocco. The majority of respondents believed that it will improve diagnostic capabilities.

 Conflict of Interest

None declared.

 artificial intelligence skin dermatology dermatologist Morocco