Theoretical Appraisal of Explanatory Paradigms for Artificial Intelligence Usage by Medical Doctors

A comprehensive study by the Premiere Research Institute has critically assessed existing theories, conceptual models, and frameworks to explain the acceptance and resistance of artificial intelligence (AI) among medical doctors. The research, backed by the National Science And Technology Council, aimed to evaluate the capacity of various paradigms to explain AI usage among physicians. The study found that the Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Dual Factor Model consistently met the evaluation criteria, demonstrating strong explanatory sufficiency. However, other paradigms often exhibited insufficiency in intelligent systems relevance and healthcare context specificity.

Key Takeaways:

• The study evaluated 28 peer-reviewed studies that applied 21 distinct paradigms to examine AI usage by physicians, using a structured critical examination and a trichotomous rating scale.
• The Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Dual Factor Model consistently demonstrated strong explanatory sufficiency across internal psychological mechanisms and external structural factors.
• The research highlighted the need for integrative paradigms that account for both cognitive-motivational and socio-technical factors to explain AI usage among medical doctors.
• The findings informed IS researchers, clinicians, and policymakers on selecting appropriate explanatory paradigms for responsible AI integration in healthcare.
• The study utilized the developed T2P2 criteria, which categorizes 12 evaluation dimensions into theoretical, technological, professional, and personal groups.

Statistics:

• 28 peer-reviewed studies were identified that applied 21 distinct paradigms to examine AI usage by physicians.
• 12 evaluation dimensions were categorized into theoretical, technological, professional, and personal groups according to the T2P2 criteria.
• 3 paradigms (Social Cognitive Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Dual Factor Model) consistently demonstrated strong explanatory sufficiency across internal psychological mechanisms and external structural factors.
• The study notably found insufficiency in intelligent systems relevance, complimentary duality, professional functionality, specialization applicability, pedagogical usability, and healthcare context specificity in other paradigms.

Sources:

• Theoretical appraisal of explanatory paradigms for artificial intelligence usage by medical doctors. Digital Health, 2025, 11.
• National Science And Technology Council
• Premiere Research Institute
• SAGE Publishing (publisher of Digital Health)