The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Creating Educational Material for Critical Care Clinicians: A Survey

One Minute Wonders (OMWs) are workplace-based microlearning resources that support continuing professional development in healthcare. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to create educational materials, but little is known about its application in OMWs development.

To examine the use, experiences, opportunities and challenges related to AI-assisted generation of OMWs as perceived among healthcare professionals participating in the German-speaking OMW Network.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among members of the German-speaking OMW Network in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A study-specific questionnaire assessed AI use, quality assurance practices, perceived benefits and risks and educational support needs. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and free-text responses underwent qualitative content analysis.

A total of 136 healthcare professionals were included, predominantly nurses (n = 128, 94.1%). Overall, n = 63 (46.3%) reported using AI to create OMW. Among AI users, AI was most used for generating figures (n = 41, 65.1%), graphics (n = 35, 55.6%) and design elements (n = 33, 52.4%), with ChatGPT being the most frequently used tool (n = 60, 95.2%). Most AI users critically reviewed AI-generated content (n = 50, 79.4%). Inaccuracies requiring revision were reported by all AI users, most commonly ambiguous wording (n = 32, 50.8%), inappropriate images (n = 32, 50.8%) and incorrect content (n = 29, 46.0%). The content analysis identified a main theme for opportunities: AI as a facilitator of educational resource development and knowledge translation and a main theme for risks: AI as a potential threat to the trustworthiness and professional integrity of educational resources.

The use of AI for developing educational materials such as OMWs seems to be established practice among participants of this study. AI offers benefits for efficiency and content creation but requires careful human oversight because inaccuracies and fabricated information are common.

AI can support the rapid development of workplace-based educational resources. However, critical review and quality assurance are essential to ensure accuracy and safety.