Artificial intelligence literacy and associated factors among gastroenterologists in China: findings from a multicenter survey with nationwide geographic coverage
4 affiliations
- 1Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- 2Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- 3Department of Gastroenterology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province
- 4Taizhou Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare, making AI literacy an emerging core competency for physicians. However, AI literacy among Chinese gastroenterologists has not been systematically investigated. This survey assessed AI literacy among Chinese gastroenterologists and examined its associated factors.
Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey with nationwide geographic coverage among gastroenterologists in China. The study was implemented from February to June 2026 following ethical approval. Participants were recruited from 96 hospitals across 30 provincial-level regions and completed a structured online questionnaire assessing AI literacy using the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS). Following univariable analyses, multiple linear regression was used to identify factors independently associated with AI literacy.
Results: A total of 1,125 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The median overall AI literacy score was 82 (IQR, 69–96). Median scores for the Cognition, Ability, Vision, and Ethics domains were 28, 31, 11, and 12, respectively; after normalization to a 0–100 scale, the corresponding scores were 62.5%, 71.9%, 66.7%, and 75.0%. In the adjusted analysis, more frequent AI tool use was associated with progressively higher AI literacy scores compared with rare or no use (2–3 times/week: B = 3.47; 4–5 times/week: B = 5.86; almost daily: B = 8.00; all p ≤ 0.020). AI-related training (B = 7.61, p < 0.001) and self-reported AI use in medical practice (B = 5.93, p < 0.001) were also associated with higher scores. Participants from central China had higher scores ( p < 0.001), whereas those from western China had lower scores ( p = 0.025), compared with those from eastern China.
Conclusion: Chinese gastroenterologists reported varying levels of perceived AI readiness across MAIRS-MS domains, with the lowest normalized scores observed in Cognition and Vision. Self-reported AI literacy was associated with educational attainment, geographic region, AI tool use frequency, AI-related training, and AI use in medical practice. These findings highlight the potential relevance of structured and regularly updated AI education, while longitudinal studies incorporating objective competency assessments are needed to clarify these associations and determine whether educational interventions improve physicians’ AI-related knowledge and skills.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026artificial,
title = {{Artificial intelligence literacy and associated factors among gastroenterologists in China: findings from a multicenter survey with nationwide geographic coverage}},
author = {Yangyang Zhang and Wenhao Zhang and Canlin Wang and Hewei Ma and Lanshuo Hu and Yiqing Mao and Jian Lan and Xudong Tang and Yingpan Zhao},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1967305},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1967305/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Artificial intelligence literacy and associated factors among gastroenterologists in China: findings from a multicenter survey with nationwide geographic coverage
AU - Yangyang Zhang
AU - Wenhao Zhang
AU - Canlin Wang
AU - Hewei Ma
AU - Lanshuo Hu
AU - Yiqing Mao
AU - Jian Lan
AU - Xudong Tang
AU - Yingpan Zhao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1967305
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1967305/full
AB - Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare, making AI literacy an emerging core competency for physicians. However, AI literacy among Chinese gastroenterologists has not been systematically investigated. This survey assessed AI literacy among Chinese gastroenterologists and examined its associated factors. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional survey with nationwide geographic coverage among gastroenterologists in China. The study was implemented from February to June 2026 following ethical approval. Participants were recruited from 96 hospitals across 30 provincial-level regions and completed a structured online questionnaire assessing AI literacy using the Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS). Following univariable analyses, multiple linear regression was used to identify factors independently associated with AI literacy. Results: A total of 1,125 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The median overall AI literacy score was 82 (IQR, 69–96). Median scores for the Cognition, Ability, Vision, and Ethics domains were 28, 31, 11, and 12, respectively; after normalization to a 0–100 scale, the corresponding scores were 62.5%, 71.9%, 66.7%, and 75.0%. In the adjusted analysis, more frequent AI tool use was associated with progressively higher AI literacy scores compared with rare or no use (2–3 times/week: B = 3.47; 4–5 times/week: B = 5.86; almost daily: B = 8.00; all p ≤ 0.020). AI-related training (B = 7.61, p < 0.001) and self-reported AI use in medical practice (B = 5.93, p < 0.001) were also associated with higher scores. Participants from central China had higher scores ( p < 0.001), whereas those from western China had lower scores ( p = 0.025), compared with those from eastern China. Conclusion: Chinese gastroenterologists reported varying levels of perceived AI readiness across MAIRS-MS domains, with the lowest normalized scores observed in Cognition and Vision. Self-reported AI literacy was associated with educational attainment, geographic region, AI tool use frequency, AI-related training, and AI use in medical practice. These findings highlight the potential relevance of structured and regularly updated AI education, while longitudinal studies incorporating objective competency assessments are needed to clarify these associations and determine whether educational interventions improve physicians’ AI-related knowledge and skills.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -