Qualitative Study Exploring Perceptions of Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Future Pharmacy Objective...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Pharmacy Education

Background:

• Traditional Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) face challenges including grading inconsistencies, lack of standardization, and limited feedback.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) has not yet been implemented in pharmacy OSCEs at Qatar University.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore pharmacy faculty and graduates' perceptions of potential future AI integration in OSCEs.
• To understand hypothetical AI applications across OSCE design, administration, assessment, and feedback.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with 12 faculty members.
• Five focus groups conducted with 29 pharmacy graduates.
• Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's reflexive approach.

Main Results:

• Five themes emerged: Traditional OSCE Challenges, Perceptions of AI Use, Potential Roles and Benefits of AI, Potential Challenges and Concerns, and Implementation Strategies.
• AI is viewed as a supportive tool to enhance standardization, automate tasks, and provide feedback, but concerns exist regarding empathy assessment, bias, and privacy.
• Implementation requires piloting, ethical training, institutional readiness, and a combined human-AI model.

Conclusions:

• Cautious optimism exists for integrating AI into pharmacy OSCEs.
• AI offers potential solutions to OSCE challenges, but gradual implementation is crucial.
• Institutional investment, stakeholder training, and policy frameworks are vital for successful AI integration in pharmacy assessment.