Work

Generative AI use, access channels, and perceptions among pharmacy students: A cross-sectional survey

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Context: Pharmacy students use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) through provider-operated, university-supported, and embedded channels, but curricular differences in access-channel choice remain poorly described. Aims: To describe tools, access channels, perceived benefits and concerns, and unadjusted curricular-year differences among pharmacy students with prior GenAI experience. Methods: A cross-sectional web survey recruited 180 Doctor of Pharmacy students by nonprobability quota sampling (30 per year). Primary access channels and 21 attitude items were assessed. Pearson-based exploratory factor analysis was complemented by a polychoric-matrix sensitivity analysis. Group differences and confidence intervals were estimated. Results: ChatGPT was ranked as the most-used tool by 140/180 students (77.8%); 173/180 (96.1%) ranked at least two distinct tools among their three most-used. Provider-operated channels ranked first for 150/179 (83.8%), compared with 24/179 (13.4%) for the university portal. The portal was first-ranked by 19/90 later-year and 5/89 early-year students (odds ratio 4.50, 95% CI 1.60–12.65; Fisher exact p = 0.004). Pearson and polychoric factor analyses yielded two weakly correlated dimensions (r = 0.05 and 0.17, respectively). Perceived Benefits were higher in early-year students (4.42 vs. 4.18; mean difference 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.40), whereas Concerns did not differ significantly (p = 0.192). Conclusions: In this selected sample of prior GenAI users at one pharmacy faculty, access-channel choice, daily use, and perceived benefits differed between curricular-year groups. The sampling method and cross-sectional design preclude population-level or developmental inferences.

Source: Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacognosy Research

DOI: 10.56499/jppres_14.5.2913

Authors: Panumart Phumart, Phenphitcha Somton, Laksanaphorn Phothong, Atchareeya Phudindan, Areewan Cheawchanwattana

Institution: Khon Kaen University

Language: English

Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education

Subfield: Health Informatics

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7225100439