Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) in pharmacy education: Utilization and implications for academic...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Academic Integrity

Background:

• Generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI), including tools like ChatGPT, is increasingly adopted in health education.
• Pharmacy education faces both potential benefits and significant risks from Gen-AI integration.
• A critical need exists to assess and mitigate risks associated with Gen-AI in pharmacy curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review on the implications of Gen-AI in pharmacy education.
• To identify current uses and emerging evidence of Gen-AI in this field.
• To specifically focus on strategies that mitigate potential risks to academic integrity.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology following PRISMA-ScR guidelines was employed.
• Databases searched included PubMed, ERIC, Scopus, and ProQuest (Jan 2000-Feb 2024).
• A grey literature search encompassed institutional policies and guidelines, supplementing traditional academic sources.

Main Results:

• Twelve articles from scientific databases and nine records from grey literature were included.
• While benefits of Gen-AI in pharmacy education were noted, published research on academic integrity risks was scarce.
• Grey literature predominantly offered risk mitigation strategies, including enhanced ethical training and assessment redesign.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-based approaches are crucial for managing Gen-AI challenges in pharmacy education.
• Mitigation strategies exist, primarily in grey literature, but published scientific literature on practical ethical implementation is limited.
• Further research is needed on responsible Gen-AI use in pharmacy curricula and effective risk mitigation for academic integrity.