{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T07:01:56Z","timestamp":1790146916597,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790121600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) tools, patients are increasingly acquiring medical information independently. While existing literature focus on examining patients\u2019 use of AI tools, understanding physicians\u2019 perspective is essential for patient care. Currently, there is a lack of research examining physicians\u2019 perceptions and clinical practices regarding AI-informed patients, particularly concerning how these dynamics are influenced by physicians\u2019 sociodemographic factors.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study aimed to explore physicians\u2019 perceptions and practices towards patients\u2019 use of AI tools for health information seeking. It also assessed how their perceptions and practices differed given physician\u2019s sociodemographic characteristics.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess perceptions and clinical practices related to patients\u2019 use of AI-based tools. Data were collected through an online questionnaire of physicians in Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A total of 393 physicians participated in the study, in which 66.7% of them encountered AI-informed patients. Overall, 54% were familiar with AI tools, 56.2% believed these tools empower patients, 40.5% reported a positive impact on the patient-physician relationship, and 78.4% identified risks regarding self-diagnosis. The majority of the physicians noted how AI-informed patients shaped their practices in terms of extended consultation time and challenged decision-making processes. Significant differences were found in physicians\u2019 perceptions and practices according to their age, gender, professional position, and healthcare sector.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The findings of the study provide valuable insight to construct policies and guidelines to support the safe and effective utilization of AI-based tools. They also highlight the need for targeted patient awareness initiatives and highlight the need for developing physician training programs to effectively manage AI-informed patients and facilitate adaptation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1932876","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T06:20:49Z","timestamp":1790144449000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Navigating the artificial intelligence-informed patient: a cross-sectional study of physicians\u2019 perceptions and clinical practices"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Malak","family":"Almalki","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal","place":["Khobar, Saudi Arabia"]},{"name":"King Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs","place":["Alhasa, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sama'a","family":"AlMubarak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal","place":["Khobar, Saudi Arabia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","article-title":"The global impact of AI-artificial intelligence: recent advances and future directions, a review","author":"Pachegowda","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"393","DOI":"10.48175\/ijarsct-15264","article-title":"The role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing healthcare","volume":"4","author":"Pawar","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int J Adv Res Sci Commun Technol"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"414","DOI":"10.34172\/apb.2021.049","article-title":"The beginning of a new era: artificial intelligence in healthcare","volume":"11","author":"Kumar","year":"2020","journal-title":"Adv Pharmaceut Bull"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100146","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cmpbup.2024.100146","article-title":"AI in diagnostic imaging: revolutionising accuracy and efficiency","volume":"5","author":"Khalifa","year":"2024","journal-title":"Comput Methods Programs Biomed Update"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e53616","DOI":"10.2196\/53616","article-title":"Benefits and risks of AI in health care: narrative review","volume":"13","author":"Chustecki","year":"2024","journal-title":"Interact J Med Res"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"645","DOI":"10.52783\/jns.v14.2586","article-title":"Review article on the role of AI in healthcare","volume":"14","author":"Kishore","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Neonatal Surg"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.55544\/jrasb.3.4.2","article-title":"The role of artificial intelligence in treatment and diagnosis in healthcare","volume":"3","author":"Singh","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Res Appl Sci Biotechnol"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-018-0316-z","article-title":"A guide to deep learning in healthcare","volume":"25","author":"Esteva","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nat Med"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e46066","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.46066","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and its role in the management of chronic medical conditions: a systematic review","volume":"15","author":"Singareddy","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref10","first-page":"78069","article-title":"Physicians. Perspectives on ChatGPT in ophthalmology: insights on artificial intelligence (AI)","author":"Ahmed","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e74187","DOI":"10.2196\/74187","article-title":"Physicians\u2019 attitudes toward artificial intelligence in medicine: mixed methods survey and interview study","volume":"27","author":"Heinrichs","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"64414","DOI":"10.2196\/64414","article-title":"Physician perspectives on the potential benefits and risks of applying artificial intelligence in psychiatric medicine: qualitative study","volume":"12","author":"Stroud","year":"2025","journal-title":"JMIR Mental Health"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70508","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.70508","article-title":"Medical doctors\u2019 perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare","volume":"16","author":"Banerjee","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e12887","DOI":"10.2196\/12887","article-title":"Physicians\u2019 perceptions of chatbots in health care: cross-sectional web-based survey","volume":"21","author":"Palanica","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e47620","DOI":"10.2196\/47620","article-title":"Physician perspectives on internet-informed patients: systematic review","volume":"26","author":"Lu","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref16","first-page":"77","volume-title":"The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication","author":"Street","year":"2003"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e68560","DOI":"10.2196\/68560","article-title":"Online health information\u2013seeking in the era of large language models: cross-sectional web-based survey study","volume":"27","author":"Yun","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e55138","DOI":"10.2196\/55138","article-title":"Characterizing the adoption and experiences of users of artificial intelligence\u2013generated health information in the United States: cross-sectional questionnaire study","volume":"26","author":"Ayo-Ajibola","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1302","DOI":"10.1002\/pon.5677","article-title":"Use of digital health tools for health promotion in cancer survivors","volume":"30","author":"Onyeaka","year":"2021","journal-title":"Psycho-Oncology"},{"key":"ref20","author":"Ugras","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6507","DOI":"10.1097\/ms9.0000000000002605","article-title":"Self-diagnosis and self-medication based on internet search among non-medical university students of Karachi","volume":"86","author":"Raja","year":"2024","journal-title":"Ann Med Surg (Lond)"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1186\/s40545-019-0165-2","article-title":"Self-medication practice and associated factors among students of Asmara College of Health Sciences, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study","volume":"12","author":"Araia","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Pharm Policy Pract"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1275127","DOI":"10.3389\/fcomm.2023.1275127","article-title":"Chatbots for embarrassing and stigmatizing conditions: could chatbots encourage users to seek medical advice?","volume":"8","author":"Branley-Bell","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Commun"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/09581596.2024.2348164","article-title":"Factors influencing patients\u2019 engagement with ChatGPT for accessing health-related information","volume":"34","author":"Alanezi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Crit Public Health"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e10831","DOI":"10.2196\/10831","article-title":"Online health information seeking and eHealth literacy among patients attending a primary care clinic in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional survey","volume":"21","author":"Wong","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1018","DOI":"10.5603\/cj.97515","article-title":"Beyond ChatGPT: what does GPT-4 add to healthcare? The dawn of a new era","volume":"30","author":"W\u00f3jcik","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cardiol J"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20552076231186520","DOI":"10.1177\/20552076231186520","article-title":"Artificial intelligence in healthcare: complementing, not replacing, doctors and healthcare providers","volume":"9","author":"Sezgin","year":"2023","journal-title":"Digital Health"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1518440","DOI":"10.3389\/frai.2025.1518440","article-title":"The current state, challenges, and future directions of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Saudi Arabia: systematic review","volume":"8","author":"Aljehani","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Artif Intell"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37826","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.37826","article-title":"Saudi Arabia health systems challenging and future transformation with artificial intelligence","volume":"15","author":"Saeed","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref30","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"666","DOI":"10.23958\/ijirms\/vol07-i11\/1558","article-title":"Artificial intelligence in health care and its application in Saudi Arabia","volume":"7","author":"Aljerian","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Innov Res Med Sci"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"717","DOI":"10.28991\/esj-2022-06-04-05","article-title":"Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare sector: ethical and legal challenges","volume":"6","author":"Chikhaoui","year":"2022","journal-title":"Emerg Sci J"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"61","DOI":"10.52132\/ajrsp.e.2024.59.4","article-title":"The impact of artificial intelligence applications on the digital transformation of healthcare delivery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (opportunities and challenges in alignment with vision 2030)","volume":"5","author":"Muafa","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acad J Res Sci Publishing"},{"key":"ref34","first-page":"4530","article-title":"Development of artificial intelligence techniques in Saudi Arabia: the impact on COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"16","author":"Al- Jehani","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Eng Sci Technol School Eng Taylor\u2019s University"},{"key":"ref35","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18208","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-02612-9","article-title":"Cyberchondria, somatic symptoms, and internet-based self-diagnosis among the Saudi population","volume":"15","author":"Aleyeidi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e81855","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.81855","article-title":"Impact of CHATGPT on diabetes mellitus self-management among patients in Saudi Arabia","volume":"17","author":"Alanzi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.21037\/mhealth-24-14","article-title":"Exploring online health resources and self-care among irritable bowel syndrome patients: analyzing internet use and AI chatbot interactions","volume":"10","author":"Altamimi","year":"2024","journal-title":"mHealth"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3706","DOI":"10.3390\/nursrep14040271","article-title":"Perceived worries in the adoption of artificial intelligence among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey study","volume":"14","author":"Alsaedi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nurs Rep"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4101","DOI":"10.2147\/jmdh.s478347","article-title":"Perceptions of artificial intelligence among otolaryngologists in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study","volume":"17","author":"AlSharhan","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Multidiscip Healthc"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1478","DOI":"10.24911\/ijmdc.51-1714219530","article-title":"Perceptions of healthcare providers on artificial intelligence integration into dermatology clinical practice; a cross-sectional study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia","volume":"8","author":"Esmaeel","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int J Med Dev Ctries"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e81960","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.81960","article-title":"Artificial intelligence in primary care decision-making: survey of healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia","volume":"17","author":"Alsudairy","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"269","DOI":"10.2147\/amep.s448422","article-title":"Knowledge, attitude and practice toward artificial intelligence among healthcare workers in private polyclinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia","volume":"15","author":"Serbaya","year":"2024","journal-title":"Adv Med Educ Pract"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.47310\/jpms2025140826","article-title":"Medical practitioners\u2019 perceptions of artificial intelligence in healthcare: a mixed-methods study","volume":"14","author":"Alhur","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Pioneering Med Sci"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e69790","DOI":"10.2196\/69790","article-title":"Patients and caregivers leveraging AI to improve their health care journey: case study and lessons learned","volume":"18","author":"Schoening","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Particip Med"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e60291","DOI":"10.2196\/60291","article-title":"Accuracy of prospective assessments of 4 large language model Chatbot responses to patient questions about emergency care: experimental comparative study","volume":"26","author":"Yau","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"47479","DOI":"10.2196\/47479","article-title":"Reliability of medical information provided by CHATGPT: assessment against clinical guidelines and patient information quality instrument","volume":"25","author":"Walker","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3897\/pharmacia.73.e177347","article-title":"Public use of ChatGPT for medication information in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study","volume":"73","author":"Alhomoud","year":"2026","journal-title":"Pharmacia"},{"key":"ref49","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"553","DOI":"10.1186\/s12982-026-01928-9","article-title":"Perceptions and attitudes of healthcare providers toward artificial intelligence: a systematic review","volume":"23","author":"Alrazeeni","year":"2026","journal-title":"Discover Public Health"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"50658","DOI":"10.2196\/50658","article-title":"Using CHATGPT for clinical practice and medical education: cross-sectional survey of medical students\u2019 and physicians\u2019 perceptions","volume":"9","author":"Tangadulrat","year":"2023","journal-title":"JMIR Med Educ"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"242","DOI":"10.1177\/1355819613486465","article-title":"Effect of physicians\u2019 gender on communication and consultation length: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"18","author":"Jefferson","year":"2013","journal-title":"J Health Serv Res Policy"},{"key":"ref53","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref54","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"468","DOI":"10.26719\/emhj.19.049","article-title":"The public health care system and primary care services in Saudi Arabia: a system in transition","volume":"26","author":"Al Asmri","year":"2020","journal-title":"East Mediterr Health J"},{"key":"ref56","author":"Elmusharaf","year":"2023"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1932876\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]],"date-time":"2026-09-23T06:20:50Z","timestamp":1790144450000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1932876\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]},"references-count":56,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1932876"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1932876","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,23]]},"article-number":"1932876"}}