Are We Ready to Integrate Artificial Intelligence Literacy into Medical School Curriculum: Students and Faculty Survey

Abstract

Background: The effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology applications are already felt in healthcare in general and in the practice of medicine in the disciplines of radiology, pathology, ophthalmology, and oncology. The expanding interface between digital data science, emerging AI technologies and healthcare is creating a demand for AI technology literacy in health professions. Objective: To assess medical student and faculty attitudes toward AI, in preparation for teaching AI foundations and data science applications in clinical practice in an integrated medical education curriculum. Methods: An online 15-question semi-structured survey was distributed among medical students and faculty. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts: participant’s background, AI awareness, and attitudes toward AI applications in medicine. Results: A total of 121 medical students and 52 clinical faculty completed the survey. Only 30% of students and 50% of faculty responded that they were aware of AI topics in medicine. The majority of students (72%) and faculty (59%) learned about AI from the media. Faculty were more likely to report that they did not have a basic understanding of AI technologies (χ2, P = .031). Students were more interested in AI in patient care training, while faculty were more interested in AI in teaching training (χ2, P = .001). Additionally, students and faculty reported comparable attitudes toward AI, limited AI literacy and time constraints in the curriculum. There is interest in broad and deep AI topics. Our findings in medical learners and teaching faculty parallel other published professional groups’ AI survey results. Conclusions: The survey conclusively proved interest among medical students and faculty in AI technology in general, and in its applications in healthcare and medicine. The study was conducted at a single institution. This survey serves as a foundation for other medical schools interested in developing a collaborative programming approach to address AI literacy in medical education.

Perceptions and Needs of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care to Increase Adoption: Scoping Review

“…Finally, our findings suggest a need to address the knowledge deficit in the definition, capacity, and functions of AI. This could be done by cultivating AI literacy and exposure from childhood [ 60 ] and incorporating the AI curriculum in health care training and upgrading courses [ 61 ].…”

Determinants of Intention to Use Artificial Intelligence-Based Diagnosis Support System Among Prospective Physicians

“…Performance expectancy is found to be related to effort expectancy because it is supposed that people were more likely to perceive that one technology is useful if they ease using this technology (29). In literature, previous studies showed that medical students believed that AI would help to enhance the performance of practices and AI would be integrated deeply in healthcare, from administrative works to clinical routine (30)(31)(32)(33). Indeed, medical students are considered to have high AI literacy than current health professionals.…”

“…Indeed, medical students are considered to have high AI literacy than current health professionals. A survey in the United States indicated that medical students were more likely to have basic knowledge about AI and prefer to use AI in patient care when comparing to their faculties (31). Another survey in the United Kingdom found that medical students who were taught about AI were more likely to adopt AI in their practices (18).…”

“…Social influence may also affect the intention to use AI in healthcare. Prior research in both the general public and health professionals recommended that medical students should learn and practice AI during their studies (31,(34)(35)(36). Experts shared that future physicians should have a good understanding and can transforming AI from potential threats to become helpful assistants (37).…”

Machine learning in medical education: a survey of the experiences and opinions of medical students in Ireland

“…Only a few studies -conducted in Europe, the US and South Korea -have explored the formal education and familiarity of medical or healthcare students with respect to digital advances in healthcare, and much of this work consists of single site studies. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] To better understand and engage with discussion about the benefits, limitations, and ethical dilemmas presented by these tools, today's medical students will need to become more digitally savvy. Equally, as patients make increasing use of healthcare and well-being algorithms, medical students will need to become better prepared to offer patients advice, and to have knowledge about, the robustness of these tools including when algorithms are safe to use.…”