Global Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Orthopaedic Surgery: Findings from the 2025 ABC Travelling Fellowship Survey.
Journal:
JB & JS open access
Published Date:
Mar 24, 2026
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Successful applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare have increased interest in how it could be integrated into orthopaedic surgery. However, orthopaedics surgeons' current use of AI and attitudes toward its incorporation remain largely unexplored. The 2025 American British Canadian Travelling Fellowship Survey on AI in Orthopaedic Surgery aimed to assess AI use, knowledge, training, and attitudes among orthopaedic surgeons. METHODS: The survey was administered from May 7 to September 4, 2025 to orthopaedic surgeons across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and North America. Questions addressed demographics, AI training and use, and attitudes toward AI. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, chi-square tests compared AI use by geography and attitudes by career stage, and linear regression explored associations between demographics, AI behaviors, and outlook on AI. RESULTS: Among 350 participants, most were trainees (45.1%) and from North America (42.9%). AI use exceeded training, and 79.9% rated their AI knowledge as average or poor. Trainees reported significantly more favorable attitudes toward AI than late-career respondents. Higher self-rated AI knowledge and AI use in clinical and research settings were associated with a more positive outlook on the future of AI in orthopaedics. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for formal AI education, as use is widespread despite limited training, particularly among later-career surgeons. Future studies should reduce self-selection and career-stage imbalance and include additional demographic variables to improve generalizability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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