Exploring Healthcare Professionals' Readiness for Artificial Intelligence in a Resource-Limited Health System: Evidence from Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to improve the efficiency of healthcare, but its integration in sub-Saharan Africa faces structural constraints. This exploratory study analyzes the perceptions, expectations, and fears of healthcare professionals in the Ibanda Health Zone (Bukavu, DRC) to document the professional acceptability of these technologies. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach: the qualitative exploratory component was based on semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals (physicians, nurses, technicians, managers). The data underwent inductive thematic analysis supplemented by descriptive frequency quantification. Results: Overall attitudes toward AI are favorable, albeit with certain conditions. Despite a predominantly basic or informal understanding of AI (81.8%), perceived benefits include improved diagnostics (72.7%) and data management (63.6%). However, major obstacles persist: lack of formal training (81.8%), internet instability (72.7%), and concerns about the reliability of results (54.5%). AI acceptance is high but conditional, revealing a gap between technological promises and realities on the ground. Training (cited by 90.9% of participants) emerges as the central lever and an ethical prerequisite for safe use. Conclusion : The integration of AI at Ibanda cannot be reduced to a technical issue; it requires strengthening basic infrastructure, a clear regulatory framework, and active involvement of caregivers in the design of tools.