Pharmacy Students' Perspectives on Integrating Generative AI into Pharmacy Education.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Educational Technology
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Background:

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is rapidly evolving.
• Its integration into higher education, including pharmacy, is a growing area of interest.
• Understanding student perceptions is crucial for effective curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' perceptions of integrating GenAI into pharmacy curricula.
• To gather evidence to guide future curriculum development in pharmacy education.
• To assess student awareness, usage, and attitudes towards GenAI tools.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to PharmD students at a U.S. College of Pharmacy.
• The survey included 10 items across four domains: general use, knowledge, learning preferences, and curriculum perspectives.
• Data were collected from students across all four professional years (P1-P4).

Main Results:

• A total of 110 students responded (12.4% response rate), with most being first-year students.
• A majority reported using GenAI tools (like ChatGPT) for personal and academic purposes.
• While 40% saw GenAI's potential to enhance learning, 62.6% preferred traditional teaching methods, indicating mixed views.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy students demonstrate GenAI usage and basic understanding but prefer traditional learning.
• There are mixed perceptions regarding the incorporation of GenAI into pharmacy education.
• Findings offer insights for faculty and institutions developing strategies for GenAI integration.