Evaluation of attitudes, uses and perceptions of Artificial Intelligence tools among students of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat using the MAIRS-MS scale

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a transformative change in the medical and health care disciplines, in improving learning, decision-making, and clinical training. The study examines AI perceptions, attitudes, and uses and readiness with the aid of the MAIRS-MS scale among medical and pharmacy students. This was cross-sectional quantitative research carried out among a sample size of 245 medical and pharmacy students in faculty of medicine and pharmacy, Rabat, Morocco, which employed stratified sampling. The data was gathered using online questionnaires that were structured and included the validated MAIRS-MS scale which had been translated to and culturally adapted into Classical Arabic. The tool evaluated the sociodemographic, AI use, attitudes, and preparedness. Validity and reliability were ensured with the help of expert review and pilot testing. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical test followed by descriptive statistics. Informed consent and ethical approval were novel. Out of 245 students, females (53.5%) were a little more than males (46.5%), with 59.2% of pre-clinical and a mean age of 20.89 / 2.16 years being displayed. The usage of the AI was high and was 83.5% attributed to 1 or more hours per week and 41.7% to daily usage. The cognitive scores were 26.40 + 3.55 and positive understanding was found. Satisfaction was high (8.1 ± 1.3). The results confirm the importance of incorporating organized AI education into medical courses with the goal of developing competencies, which are responsible and efficient in further healthcare practice.