Understanding and Perception of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Among the Undergraduate Medical Students of a Private University in Malaysia

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Published: May 25, 2026
Keywords:
Artificial intelligence (AI), Understanding, Perception, Undergraduate, Medical students

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Pei Kuan Lai
Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), IMU University, No.126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur.
Pathiyil Ravi Shankar
IMU Centre for Education, IMU University, No.126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sasikala Devi Amirthalingam
School of Medicine, IMU University, Clinical Campus Seremban, Jalan Rasah, Bukit Rasah, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Malanashita Ganeson
School of Medicine, IMU University, Clinical Campus Seremban, Jalan Rasah, Bukit Rasah, 70300 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Abstract

Background : Artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely integrated into medical practice. The level of understanding of AI, perceptions of its role in medical practice, and its impact on medical education among clinical undergraduate medical students in a private university in Malaysia was studied. Methodology : A descriptive, cross-sectional study using self-administered survey questionnaire was done. Multi-stage sampling methods, comprising purposive sampling followed by random sampling, were employed to recruit all the clinical students in the semesters 6 to 10 of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at the University. Results : A total of 281 students responded (response rate 65.3%). The students had a median score of 16 for the level of understanding on AI, a mean score of 54.28 (SD 9.01) for perceived ability of AI, and a median score of 32 for perceived impact of AI. Significant differences were observed across gender (p<0.001), nationality (p=0.013), having any knowledge on Information Technology (IT) related to AI (p<0.001), and whether the students had attended or viewed any talks or lectures on AI (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were found in the medians of perceived impact of AI for the variable of gender (p=0.001). Conclusion : The undergraduate medical students had moderate level of understanding on AI, good perceptions of the role of AI in medical practice, and its impact of AI on medical profession. AI topics should be incorporated into the undergraduate medical curriculum so that the medical students could be exposed early to AI knowledge and skills.

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How to Cite
Pei Kuan Lai, Pathiyil Ravi Shankar, Sasikala Devi Amirthalingam, & Malanashita Ganeson. (2026). Understanding and Perception of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Among the Undergraduate Medical Students of a Private University in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 22(2), 1518. Retrieved from http://mjmhsojs.upm.edu.my/index.php/mjmhs/article/view/1518
Issue
Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026)
Section
Original Articles

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