Barkha DEVI, Champa SHARMA, Shrijana PRADHAN, Nazung LEPCHA, ShashiRani PANGABAM, Narmaya CHETTRI
Turkish Journal of Public Health - 2026;24(1):97-110
Objective: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming healthcare worldwide, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and health system management. However, understanding how future healthcare professionals perceive and prepare for AI integration remains essential. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and readiness (KAR) of healthcare students in Sikkim, a region where digital healthcare implementation is still evolving. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,219 students enrolled in nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and allied health sciences programs across five universities using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire comprising multiple-choice items (knowledge), Likert-scale statements (attitude), and scenario-based assessments (readiness). Demographic characteristics, academic background, and familiarity with digital technologies were also recorded. The instrument was pretested for reliability, and ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Results: Overall, 51.4% of participants demonstrated adequate AI knowledge, and 77.3% expressed positive attitudes toward AI. However, only 38.6% were classified as ready to apply AI in clinical practice. No significant correlations were observed between knowledge and readiness (r=0.047, p=0.104) or between attitude and readiness (r=0.075, p=0.151), indicating that favourable perceptions and conceptual understanding did not translate into practical preparedness. Conclusion: Readiness was associated with prior curricular exposure to AI, technological confidence, and openness to training. The findings highlight a gap between awareness and practical preparedness, emphasizing the need for structured, hands-on AI training within healthcare curricula.
