Ms Jane Hoffman1,2, A/Prof Laetitia Hattingh1,2,3, Dr Lucy Shinners4, Dr Rebecca L Angus1, Dr Brent Richards5, Dr Ian Hughes1,6, Dr Rachel Wenke1,7,8
1Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Australia, 2School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Australia, 3School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 4Datarwe, Southport, Australia, 5School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Southport, Australia, 6School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 7School of Health Sciences & Social Work, Griffith University , Southport, Australia, 8Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia
Biography:
Laetitia is a clinician-researcher and pharmacist at Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service (GCHHS), A/Director of Allied Health Research, Adjunct A/Professor with Griffith University and Principal Research Fellow with University of Queensland. She has various research leadership roles at GCHHS, including chairing the GCHHS Allied Health Research and Innovation Leadership Committee. Laetitia is a member of Research Council, the Clinical Trials Advisory Committee and the Medication Safety Committee. At a statewide level, she co-chairs the Queensland Pharmacy Research and Medication Trials Sub-Committee and is a member of the Health Translation Queensland Consumer and Community Involvement Community of Practice.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly gained prominence in everyday life and has the potential to revolutionise healthcare. Yet how allied health professionals (AHPs) perceive AI and their attitudes toward AI in healthcare are largely unknown.
Methods:
A mixed methods study was conducted mid-2023 with AHPs from a large Queensland metropolitan public health service. Quantitative data were collected via an online cross-sectional survey while qualitative insights were gathered through focus groups informed by behaviour change theory.
Body:
In total, 231 AHPs (22.1% of the workforce) from 11 disciplines completed the survey and 25 participated in focus groups. Most survey respondents had little knowledge about AI (201/231, 87%) and had not received any AI-related training (190/231, 82.3%). Key positive predictors of perceived professional impact and preparedness respectively were: profession (pharmacists), age (<51 years), advanced AI knowledge, previous use of AI and being less experienced. Focus groups identified potential enablers of AI implementation: high quality AI education and training, communicating the advantages of AI, leveraging clinical champions and enhancing the reputation of the organisation.
Conclusions:
This study captures AHPs’ early-stage perceptions of AI in healthcare. As community awareness and experience with AI increase, workforce perceptions will also evolve. Practical interventions to support AHP readiness for future AI implementation strategies include workforce training, communication of AI benefits and deploying clinical champions. Healthcare organisations must be proactive in adopting such strategies to assist the clinical workforce to welcome, rather than resist innovations offered by AI, and ensure successful integration into clinical practice.