Study Reveals Majority of German Doctors View AI as an Opportunity in Medicine
Majority of Medical Professionals See Artificial Intelligence as a Viable Advancement in Medicine (78%) - Majority of Physicians View Artificial Intelligence as a Prospective Boon for Medicine, According to Research
A recent survey by Bitkom, a leading digital association in Germany, suggests that 78% of doctors view artificial intelligence (AI) as an opportunity for the medical field. The study indicates that while the adoption of AI in medical practice and hospitals is currently modest, there is significant interest and potential for growth.
According to the study, 15% of doctors currently use AI in practices and medical care centers, ushering in improvements in diagnostic support and practice management. In hospital settings, 18% of doctors are employing AI in evaluating imaging procedures. Ralf Wintergerst, the president of Bitkom, contends that AI has the capacity to personalize and improve the efficiency of medical care, particularly in prevention and therapy. By reducing the administrative burdens of doctors and hospitals, AI can also enable more time to be devoted to patient care.
The study also revealed that 68% of respondents are open to the adoption of electronic patient records. Key benefits perceived by doctors include avoiding duplicate examinations (73%), enabling faster diagnoses by leveraging a patient's medical history (60%), and minimizing medication interactions (59%).
However, 77% of respondents expressed feelings of insufficiency in their preparation for the use of electronic patient records. Since its nationwide launch at the end of April following a trial period, the use of electronic patient records remains voluntary for doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals until mandatory usage begins on October 1, 2025. Patients also have the option to opt out of its use.
In the broader context of digitalization, Germany is exploring the use of technologies such as telemedicine, AI, and digital hospital information systems to optimize energy consumption, enhance accessibility, and improve disease management capabilities. While Bitkom studies highlight the importance of digitalization across various sectors, their focus tends to be more on digital sovereignty, IT security, and company digitalization rather than specific AI applications in medical settings. The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) is actively developing AI solutions, further demonstrating the potential of AI in healthcare applications.
- The survey conducted by Bitkom, a German digital association, showed that science and technology like artificial intelligence are seen as opportunities for the medical field, with 78% of doctors viewing AI as a chance to revolutionize medicine.
- The study also uncovered a substantial interest among doctors for the implementation of AI in the diagnosis and management of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, with 68% open to the adoption of electronic patient records.
- With the potential to personalize treatment, improve efficiency, and minimize administrative burdens, technology like AI is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of health-and-wellness and medicine in Germany. In parallel, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) continues to develop AI solutions specifically for healthcare applications.
