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

To realize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care, physicians must learn how to use AI-based tools effectively, safely, and equitably. Continuing professional development (CPD) activities are one way to learn how to do this. The purpose of this article is to describe a theory-based approach for assessing health professionals' motivation to participate in CPD on AI-based tools. An online survey, based on an AI competency framework developed from existing literature and expert consultations, was administered to practicing physicians in Ontario, Canada. Across eight subcompetencies for using AI-based tools (eg, appraise AI-based tools for their regulatory and legal status), the survey measured physicians' perception they could successfully enact the competency, the importance of the competency in meeting their practice needs, and the desirability of participating in CPD activities on the competency. Motivation scores were calculated by multiplying the three scores together. Ninety-five physicians completed the survey. The highest motivation scores were for the subcompetency of identifying AI-based tools based on clinical needs, while the lowest motivation scores were for appraising tools' regulatory and legal status. All AI subcompetencies were generally rated as important, and CPD activities were generally perceived as desirable. This survey demonstrates the utility of a theory-based approach for assessing physicians' motivation to learn. Although the survey results are context specific, the approach may be useful for other CPD providers to support decision making about future AI-related CPD activities.