Bridging the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Divide: Do Postgraduate Medical Students Outshine Undergraduate Medical Students in AI Readiness?
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Postgraduate medical students possess superior artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge and practices compared to undergraduates. Targeted AI education is crucial for all medical students to prepare for AI in healthcare.
Area Of Science
- Medical Education
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Health Informatics
Background
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare delivery and requires medical professionals to be proficient in its application.
- Existing literature lacks comprehensive comparisons of AI knowledge, attitudes, and practices between undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.
- Understanding these differences is vital for adapting medical curricula to future healthcare demands.
Purpose Of The Study
- To assess and compare AI knowledge, attitudes, and practices among undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.
- To identify factors associated with AI proficiency in medical trainees.
- To explore qualitative themes related to AI in medical education.
Main Methods
- A mixed-methods approach was employed, surveying 605 medical students (404 undergraduates, 201 postgraduates) at a tertiary care center.
- Quantitative data collection included surveys on AI knowledge, attitudes, and practices, analyzed using t-tests, chi-square, and regression.
- Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, followed by thematic analysis.
Main Results
- Postgraduate students exhibited significantly higher AI knowledge scores (p<0.001) and greater confidence in AI's potential compared to undergraduates.
- Both groups reported positive attitudes towards AI, with postgraduates engaging in more extensive AI-related practices (p<0.001).
- Key themes included enthusiasm for AI, job security concerns, and a strong demand for formal AI education; knowledge, attitudes, and practices were positively correlated (p<0.01).
Conclusions
- A substantial gap in AI knowledge exists between undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, underscoring the need for tailored educational interventions.
- Findings support the development of AI-focused curricula to equip future physicians for an AI-integrated healthcare landscape.
- Further investigation into the long-term impact of AI education on clinical practice is recommended.

