Exploring Pharmacists' Perceptions of Text-Based Artificial Intelligence in Resident and Student Education

Abstract

Introduction: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into various professional fields, understanding its impact on pharmacy education is crucial. This study explores pharmacists' perceptions of AI's role in enhancing educational and professional practices, particularly focusing on the generation of educational content and analytical tasks. Objectives: The primary objective was to assess pharmacists' concerns and perceived benefits regarding the use of AI in pharmacy education, examining variations across different age groups and years of practice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 446 pharmacists who actively precept pharmacy residents and students. Respondents practiced across 35 states with over half (53.4%) being in Ohio. The survey included items on concerns about AI's quality and accuracy, human interaction, plagiarism, and its potential benefits in data analysis and research literature summarization. Responses were analyzed to identify trends across demographic categories, including age and years in practice. Results: Of the respondents, 67.9% expressed concerns about the quality and accuracy of AI-generated content, while 50.9% were concerned about plagiarism. Younger pharmacists (73.8% of those aged 20-29) showed heightened concern about accuracy compared to older groups (56.8% of those aged 60+). In contrast, 57.8% of respondents recognized AI's potential benefits for data analysis, with experienced pharmacists (>20 years in practice) being more likely to see these advantages (62.2%). Conclusion: The findings indicate a need for targeted educational strategies to address AI literacy and ethical use in pharmacy education. Integrating AI tools that support educational objectives while addressing these concerns could enhance the efficacy and acceptance of AI in pharmacy practice. Further research should explore the development of training programs that align with the evolving expectations and technological competencies of different pharmacist demographics.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; educational technology; pharmacy education; text-based learning.