Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Levels Among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into various aspects of healthcare delivery, from diagnostics to patient management. While these advancements offer significant benefits, they also raise anxiety among healthcare professionals regarding job security, ethical implications, and changes in clinical decision-making. Despite the growing importance of this issue, there is limited consensus among healthcare professionals regarding the overall level of anxiety about AI.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess healthcare professionals' anxiety about AI. This study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420251017693). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library databases up to April 2025. Studies focusing on healthcare professionals' levels of anxiety about AI were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal tool. In the analyses, effect sizes were calculated using the random effects model, while heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were assessed via Cochrane's Q, I², τ², leave-one-out analysis, funnel plots, and Egger's and Begg's tests.

Results: Nine studies involving 1877 healthcare professionals were included in the systematic review, and five studies (n = 926) that met the criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the mean score on the AI anxiety scale was 59.26 (95% CI = 40.54-77.97), indicating that healthcare professionals generally experience a moderate level of AI-related anxiety. A statistically significant heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I² = 99.1%, τ² = 224.20, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: While it can be suggested that healthcare professionals experience moderate to high levels of anxiety towards AI technologies, the high heterogeneity observed across the included studies makes it difficult to draw a generalized conclusion. The study highlights the necessity of proactive measures, including education and organizational support, to build healthcare professionals' confidence and readiness for AI adoption.

Keywords: anxiety; artificial intelligence; artificial intelligence anxiety; healthcare professionals.