Zheng Lanbin, Xu Rui, Zhou Shu'aijun, et al. Artificial intelligence literacy and teaching application needs of clinical teachers: a survey from the perspectives of awareness and practical use[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research, 2026, 25(7): 786-792.
Zheng Lanbin, Xu Rui, Zhou Shu'aijun, et al. Artificial intelligence literacy and teaching application needs of clinical teachers: a survey from the perspectives of awareness and practical use[J]. Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research, 2026, 25(7): 786-792.DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn116021-20251026-02241.
Artificial intelligence literacy and teaching application needs of clinical teachers: a survey from the perspectives of awareness and practical use
To investigate the current status of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy
the attitudes towards AI teaching applications
and the practical needs among clinical teachers
and to provide an empirical basis for enhancing their AI teaching capabilities.
Methods
2
A questionnaire survey was conducted among 195 clinical teachers. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics
an AI Literacy Scale
items on the perceived usefulness and ease of use of AI in teaching
and open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software
including descriptive statistics
t
-tests
analysis of variance
and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A thematic analysis was performed on the open-ended text responses.
Results
2
A structural imbalance was identified in the AI literacy of clinical teachers
with the score of awareness (5.89±0.86) exceeding that of practical use (5.63±0.89). Their positive evaluation of AI's usefulness in teachi
ng was significantly higher than its perceived ease of use (75.90% vs. 43.08%
Z
=-8.02
P
<
0.001). Except for differences in the awareness and evaluation dimensions related to gender
AI literacy showed no significant differences across age
education
or professional title groups
presenting a "demographic-irrelevant" phenomenon. Qualitative analysis revealed that teachers face the dual challenges of difficulties in tool selection and insufficient integration into teaching practice. Their use predominantly remained at a basic level
with limited progression to advanced applications
thus highlighting the need for systematic training and more accessible AI tools.
Conclusions
2
Clinical teachers generally recognized the value of AI in teaching but faced practical challenges characterized by "easier said than done". Institutions need to build a systematic support framework by reducing technical barriers
enhancing hands-on training
and improving incentive mechanisms to facilitate the transition of teachers from AI technology adaptors to leaders in human-AI collaboration
thereby laying a solid foundation for the transformation of medical education in the AI era.
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