Artificial Intelligence for Surgical Care in War-Torn Sudan: Feasibility, Barriers, and Ethical Perspectives

NCT07149012 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: SMSB-AI-SURG-SUDAN-2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 185
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is designed to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) could be applied to support surgical care in Sudan during the ongoing armed conflict. The conflict has disrupted hospital operations, displaced surgical teams, and limited access to specialists and modern technology. The investigators are conducting a survey of Sudanese surgeons working in public, private, military, and conflict-zone hospitals to assess awareness of AI, interest in its application, and perceived challenges. In addition, in-depth interviews with senior surgeons and residents are being performed to further explore perspectives on AI in surgical care. This study represents one of the first attempts to investigate the role of AI in surgery within an active conflict setting in Africa. Findings from this research are expected to inform the design of AI tools that are tailored for fragile health systems, including offline and low-bandwidth environments.

Conditions

Surgical Procedures, Operative; Artificial Intelligence (AI); War Injury; Wounds and Injuries; Disasters; Health Services Accessibility; Developing Countries

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence; Surgeon Training; Technology Adoption in Surgery; Humanitarian Health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Surgical Care Among Sudanese Surgeons

  Measured using a structured questionnaire including domains of familiarity with AI concepts, perceived benefits, and potential applications in perioperative care. Responses are recorded on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all familiar/beneficial/applicable) to 5 (very familiar/beneficial/applicable). Higher scores indicate greater awareness and more positive perceptions.

  At survey completion (October 2024 - June 2025)

Interventions

Artificial Intelligence Awareness and Feasibility Assessment OTHER

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods assessment of surgeons' awareness, readiness, and perceived barriers to adopting artificial intelligence in surgical care during the ongoing Sudan conflict. The intervention consisted of: A validated, structured online questionnaire adapted from established AI awareness tools, assessing familiarity, perceived benefits, barriers, and ethical concerns. Semi-structured interviews with senior surgical residents and consultants to explore contextual and ethical perspectives in greater depth. The study did not implement AI tools in practice but focused on measuring feasibility and identifying requirements for future AI deployment in conflict-affected surgical systems.

Also known as: AI Readiness Survey, AI in Surgical Care Study Sudan, AI Training and Barriers Assessment

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

General surgery residents and consultants practicing in Sudan during the ongoing armed conflict, representing public, private, military, NGO, and conflict-zone hospitals across multiple regions. Participants include surgeons at various training levels, from early-year residents to senior consultants.

You may qualify if:

• Sudanese general surgery residents or consultants.
• Currently working in public, private, military, NGO, or conflict-zone hospitals within Sudan.
• Able to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Surgeons working outside Sudan.
• Non-surgical medical specialties.
• Inability or unwillingness to complete the survey or participate in interviews.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sudan Medical Specialization Board: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sudan Medical Specialization Board

Wad Medani, Al Jazirah, 14552, Sudan

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Alsaedi AR, Alneami N, Almajnoni F, Alamri O, Aljohni K, Alrwaily MK, Eid M, Budayr A, Alrehaili MA, Alghamdi MM, Almutairi ED, Eid MH. Perceived Worries in the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Among Healthcare Professionals in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Nurs Rep. 2024 Nov 28;14(4):3706-3721. doi: 10.3390/nursrep14040271.

  PMID: 39728632 BACKGROUND

• Fleming CA, Ali O, Clements JM, Hirniak J, King M, Mohan HM, Nally DM, Burke J; Association of Surgeons in Training (ASIT). Surgical trainee experience and opinion of robotic surgery in surgical training and vision for the future: a snapshot study of pan-specialty surgical trainees. J Robot Surg. 2022 Oct;16(5):1073-1082. doi: 10.1007/s11701-021-01344-y. Epub 2021 Nov 26.

  PMID: 34826106 BACKGROUND

• De Simone B, Abu-Zidan FM, Gumbs AA, Chouillard E, Di Saverio S, Sartelli M, Coccolini F, Ansaloni L, Collins T, Kluger Y, Moore EE, Litvin A, Leppaniemi A, Mascagni P, Milone L, Piccoli M, Abu-Hilal M, Sugrue M, Biffl WL, Catena F. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of artificial intelligence in emergency and trauma surgery, the ARIES project: an international web-based survey. World J Emerg Surg. 2022 Feb 10;17(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s13017-022-00413-3.

  PMID: 35144645 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Alsadig Suliman, MBBS, Msc

  Sudan Medical Specialization Board

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 15, 2025
• First Posted: August 29, 2025
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 1, 2025
• Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SU (1)