Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Feb 26, 2024
Date Accepted: Aug 15, 2024
Utilization, perception and intention to use artificial intelligence chatbots among medical students in China: a national cross-sectional study
ABSTRACT
Background:
AI Chatbots are poised to have a profound impact on medical education. Medical students, as early adopters of technology and future healthcare providers, play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare. However, little is known about the utilization, perception, and intention to use AI chatbots among medical students.
Objective:
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the utilization, perception and intention to use AI chatbots among medical students in China. The second objective is to identify the factors that influence the acceptance of AI chatbots.
Methods:
An online electronic survey questionnaire was developed and distributed via social media to medical students across the country. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used as a theoretical framework to questionnaire-design and data-analyze. The relationship between behavioral intention of AI chatbots and UTAUT predictors was examined using multivariable regression.
Results:
Out of 715 medical students from 57 universities covering 21 provinces or municipalities in China, 693 students responded. Only a minority (199, 28.72%) reported using AI chatbots for studying, with ChatGPT (129, 18.61%) being the most commonly used. Most of participants used AI chatbots for quickly obtaining medical information and knowledge (91.05%) and increasing learning efficiency (85.71%). Utilization behavior, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived risk, and personal innovativeness showed significant positive associations with the behavioral intention to use AI chatbots (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Chinese medical students hold positive perceptions and high intentions to use AI chatbots, but there are gaps between intention and actual adoption. This highlights the need for strategies to improve access, training, support, and provide peer usage examples to fully harness the potential benefits of chatbot technology.
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Copyright
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