Mohammad Salman Khan

Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia has heightened the need for organ transplantation; however, the donor pool remains insufficient. This study explored awareness and willingness towards organ donation among Riyadh residents and examined the sociodemographic factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among adults in Riyadh. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, awareness, willingness to donate, and sociodemographic factors. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Among the 645 respondents, 56.4% were willing to donate organs, with females showing a higher propensity than males (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7–5.1, p < 0.001). Awareness of organ donation centers was linked to increased willingness to donate (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p < 0.001). Higher educational level was strongly associated with donor registration (OR 36.8, 95% CI 14.7–91.9, p < 0.001). Despite their high willingness, only 9.5% were registered as donors, highlighting the gap between intention and action. Conclusions: Riyadh residents showed a significant willingness to donate organs, influenced by gender, education, and awareness. Low registration rates suggest barriers such as religious beliefs and lack of information. Targeted educational campaigns and policy evaluations, including an opt-out system, are recommended to enhance registration rates.

Background: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology represents a transformative leap in healthcare. AI-powered technologies, such as machine learning and computer vision, enhance the accuracy and efficiency of ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment. Objective: This study aimed to determine medical students’ awareness and attitudes towards the use of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023 using online questionnaires. Data collection was carried out using convenience sampling among medical students at the University. IBM SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. Results: The current finding shows that most of the participants N=309 (89.6%) had heard of the use of AI in medicine, and N=294 (85.2%) heard of the use of AI in ophthalmology. 98.6% (n=340) of respondents believed AI would be a helpful tool in ophthalmology. Along this line of questioning, a significant majority of respondents, 332 (96.2%) selected screening, 332 (96.2%) selected diagnosis, and 293 (84.9%) selected prevention as a usage of AI ophthalmology. However, the majority, 76.5%) of students had little understanding of the development of AI in ophthalmology. In addition, a significant relationship between sex, academic year, cumulative GPA (cGPA), and awareness of AI in ophthalmology (P<0.001) was found in this study. Conclusions: Overall, medical students in Saudi Arabia appear to have favorable thoughts about AI and positive perceptions towards AI in ophthalmology. However, the findings of this study emphasize the limited understanding and low confidence levels of medical students in Saudi Arabia regarding the use of AI in ophthalmology. As a result, early exposure to AI-related materials in medical curricula is crucial for addressing these challenges through comprehensive AI education and practical exposure to prepare future ophthalmologists.