Artificial intelligence in emergency department triage: perspective of human professionals

Abstract

Background The triage process in emergency departments (EDs) is complex, and AI-based solutions have begun to target it. At this pivotal stage, the challenge lies less in designing smarter algorithms than in fostering trust and alignment among medical and technical stakeholders. We explored professional attitudes towards AI in ED triage, focusing on alignments and misalignments across backgrounds. Methods An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was distributed through professional networks of healthcare providers and IT professionals, between May 2024 and February 2025. The questionnaire covered four areas: (a) the General Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS); (b) professional background and career level; (c) challenges and priorities for AI applications in triage; and (d) the AI Attitude Scale (AIAS-4). Constructs from the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) were also applied. Cluster analysis ( KMeans ) was conducted based on GAAIS-positive, GAAIS-negative, and AIAS-4 scores. Results From a total of 151 professionals, Kmeans identified three clusters: K0 (cautious/critical, n = 39), K1 (enthusiastic/optimistic, n = 35), and K2 (balanced/pragmatic, n = 77). Approximately two-thirds of K2 (47/77; 61%) were healthcare providers. Six out of 20 (30%) medical professionals in K0 reported that AI could play no role in ED triage, but only 1/15 (7%) and 1/47 (2%) of healthcare providers gave this response in K1 and K2, respectively. Lack of knowledge of AI tools was also most frequent in K0 (14/39; 36%). Recognition of necessity of constraints showed marked contrasts in their mea n ± SD scores: (a) for data availability/quality, 2.95 ± 1.98 (K0), 4.27 ± 1.1 (K1), and 4.20 ± 0.94 (K2); (b) for the integration of AI-based applications into existing workflows, 2.95 ± 1.05, 4.20 ± 0.94, and 3.47 ± 1.02 in K0, K1, and K2, respectively. Among the UTAUT2 constructs, hedonic motivation differed most significantly, with mean ± SD values of 3.41 ± 1.0 (K0), 6.86 ± 0.97 (K1), and 5.07 ± 1.08 (K2). Conclusions Stakeholders' perspectives on AI in ED triage are heterogeneous and not solely determined by professional background or role. Hedonic motivation emerged as a key driver of enthusiasm. Educational strategies should follow two directions: (a) structured AI programs for enthusiastic developers from diverse fields, and (b) AI literacy for all healthcare professionals to support competent use as consumers.

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