Automatic speech recognition in the operating room – An essential contemporary tool or a redundant gadget? A survey evaluation among physicians in form of a qualitative study

•ASR is a desirable tool in the OR regardless of the field of speciality.•While 90.1% interviewees from surgical specialities see potential in ASR and 73.7% from non-surgical specialities assess its future potential as high.•There were no statistically significant differences regarding sex and professional position.•For an ASR system to be implemented in the OR, it needs to be sophisticated and updatable since there are still several technical requirements to be fulfilled.•Foreseeably, ASR is anticipated to be integrated into the OR and valued at a high market potential.