Assessing Physician Motivation to Engage in Continuing Professional Development on Artificial Intelligence.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Medical Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Background:

• Physicians require training to effectively, safely, and equitably utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools in healthcare.
• Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key avenue for acquiring AI competencies.
• Assessing physician motivation is crucial for designing effective AI-focused CPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a theory-based methodology for evaluating health professionals' motivation to engage in CPD concerning AI-based tools.
• To inform the development of targeted CPD activities for AI in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was developed using an AI competency framework derived from literature and expert input.
• Practicing physicians in Ontario, Canada, completed the survey assessing perceived competency, importance, and desirability of AI-related CPD.
• Motivation scores were calculated by multiplying these three assessed factors.

Main Results:

• Physicians showed highest motivation for identifying AI tools based on clinical needs.
• Lowest motivation was observed for appraising the regulatory and legal status of AI tools.
• Overall, AI subcompetencies were deemed important, and AI-related CPD activities were generally desirable.

Conclusions:

• The study validates a theory-based approach for measuring physician motivation for AI learning.
• While context-specific, this assessment method can guide CPD providers in planning future AI education.
• Understanding physician motivation is key to successful AI adoption in clinical practice.