Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence: A National Survey

Authors

Kyle A. Gustafson Pharm.D., Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityFollow
Casey Rowe Pharm.D., University of FloridaFollow
Gavaza Paul Ph.D., Loma Linda UniversityFollow
Allison C. Bernknopf Pharm.D., Ferris State UniversityFollow
Anna Nogid Pharm.D., Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFollow
Alexander Hoffman Pharm.D., Northeast Ohio Medical UniversityFollow
Ellen Jones Pharm.D., Harding UniversityFollow
Leanne Showman Pharm.D., Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Victoria Miller Pharm.D., University of Louisiana at MonroeFollow
May H. Abdel Aziz Ph.D., University of Texas at TylerFollow
Damianne Brand-Eubanks Pharm.D., Washington State UniversityFollow
Duc P. Do Ph.D., University of GeorgiaFollow
Sarah Berman Pharm.D., University of the Incarnate WordFollow
Angela Chu Pharm.D., Roseman University of Health SciencesFollow
Vivek S. Dave Ph.D., St. John Fisher UniversityFollow
Radhika Devraj Ph.D., Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleFollow
Trager D. Hintze Pharm.D., Texas A & M University - College StationFollow
Faria Munir Pharm.D., The University of Illinois at ChicagoFollow
Islam Mohamed Ph.D., California North State UniversityFollow
Motolani E. Ogunsanya Ph.D. Pharm.D., University of OklahomaFollow
Jarred Prudencio Pharm.D., University of Hawaii, HiloFollow
Divita Singh Pharm.D., Temple UniversityFollow
Robin Southwood Pharm.D., University of GeorgiaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

Publication Date

Fall 11-28-2024

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing and evolving field impacting pharmacy research, education, and professional practice. The development and adaptation of AI technologies have the potential to radically shape the future of the pharmacy profession. However, it remains unclear how aware pharmacists are of these technologies or their perceptions regarding current and future utilization. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions and awareness of artificial intelligence technologies in a population of practicing pharmacists across the United States. Methods: A 19-question electronic survey was administered via Qualtrics to assess various AI perceptions among U.S. pharmacists. The survey ran from September 5th to November 22nd, 2023 and targeted practicing pharmacists through professional organizations and publicly available email lists. Responses were analyzed for descriptive trends and demographic analysis focusing on factors predicting AI use and were categorized into sub-focuses for detailed analysis. Results: A total of 1363 practicing pharmacists completed the survey. 82.5% of respondents expressed some degree of familiarity with AI software, but only 38.7% reported having used AI. Of those using AI software, the most common applications were Large Language Models (33.7%) and Image Generation (10%). 56.1% of pharmacists feel that AI will decrease the number of pharmacy jobs, and 34.9% of pharmacists express some degree of distrust of AI. Despite this, 64.1% of pharmacists feel that AI could enhance their professional effectiveness and productivity. Males appear much more likely than females to use AI (50.1% Vs. 31%, P < .001). Younger responders also reported higher AI utilization with the highest utilization aged 23e29 (47.5%) and lowest in 60þ (25.6%, P < .001) Conclusion: Understanding pharmacists' current awareness, concerns, and perspectives on AI is crucial for navigating its potential impact on the profession including potential professional utilization, addressing concerns regarding job security, ethical considerations, and regulatory uncertainty

Creative Commons Usage License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Copyright held by

American Pharmacists Association

Recommended Citation

Gustafson KA, Rowe C, Gavaza P, Bernknopf A, Nogid, A, Hoffman A, Jones E, Showman L, Miller V, Abdel Aziz MH, Brand-Eubanks D, Do DP, Berman S, Chu A, Dave V, Devraj R, Hintze TD, Munir F, Mohamed I, Ogunsanya ME, Prudencio J, Singh D, Southwood R, Pharmacists' Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence: A National Survey, Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2024. 102306