Understanding healthcare professionals' perceptions of artificial intelligence: A bibliometric and thematic analysis using VOSviewer.

Abstract

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by influencing clinical decision-making, service delivery, and professional roles. Healthcare professionals' perceptions of AI are critical to its successful implementation and integration into clinical practice. Understanding research trends in this field can support future scientific and policy developments.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the scientific structure, research trends, and thematic development of the literature on healthcare professionals' perceptions of artificial intelligence through bibliometric analysis.MethodsA bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2015 and 2025. The dataset included English-language, peer-reviewed journal articles in medicine, nursing, and health sciences. A total of 644 publications met the inclusion criteria. Publication trends, productive countries, authors, subject areas, and citation patterns were analyzed. Network visualization and keyword co-occurrence analyses were performed using VOSviewer.ResultsPublications increased markedly after 2020, indicating growing scientific interest in the topic. Three major thematic clusters were identified: clinical and technological integration of AI in healthcare, AI in health education and professional practice, and ethical, psychological, and attitudinal aspects of AI. The findings also revealed a shift toward human-centered research emphasizing healthcare professionals' competencies, acceptance, and concerns regarding AI.ConclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive overview of the intellectual landscape of research on healthcare professionals' perceptions of AI. The findings may inform future research, evidence-based policymaking, and strategies to support the effective integration of AI into healthcare systems.