Artificial intelligence and chatbots in general surgery: a survey among surgeons in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
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By
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Sebastian Lünse
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Eric L. Wisotzky
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Lasse Renz-Kiefel
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Christoph Paasch
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Richard Hunger
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René Mantke
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July 1, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Survey of Surgeons in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots in General Surgery
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Artificial Intelligence in General Surgery |
| Key Mechanisms | Integration of AI and LLMs for documentation, decision support, and image analysis. |
| Target Population | General surgeons in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. |
| Care Setting | Surgical departments in university hospitals. |
Key Highlights
- 58.5% of surgeons reported occasional use of AI.
- 65.3% utilized AI for speech recognition.
- 83.0% anticipated reduction in administrative tasks due to AI.
- 94.4% noted simplification of documentation as a key benefit.
- Application patterns varied significantly by level of surgical training.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- AI can enhance diagnostic accuracy in surgical settings.
Management
- AI tools may assist in surgical planning and risk stratification.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Postoperative monitoring can be improved through AI applications.
Risks
- Concerns regarding data protection, legal liability, and model transparency.
Patient & Prescribing Data
General surgical patients in university hospitals.
AI applications are expected to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient safety.
Clinical Best Practices
- Ensure model transparency and validation before AI adoption.
- Provide training for surgeons on AI tools and their applications.
- Address legal and ethical considerations in AI implementation.
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