Introduction: In recent years, artificial intelligence has had a significant impact on healthcare and education. Its rapid development is changing how students learn, access information, complete academic tasks, and prepare for clinical practice. Occupational therapy students are increasingly utilising artificial intelligence tools for various educational purposes. This use can contribute to greater efficiency in the learning process, while also raising concerns regarding the reliability of information, ethical use, data protection, and the potential impact on critical thinking and professional judgement. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how occupational therapy students use artificial intelligence during their studies. We were interested in their experiences and attitudes towards the use of artificial intelligence, as well as their perceptions of ethical considerations and the future integration of artificial intelligence into the educational process. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five female occupational therapy students from different years of study at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Three main categories were identified: use of artificial intelligence, experiences with the use of artificial intelligence, and trust in and future integration of artificial intelligence. Occupational therapy students most frequently used AI for writing seminar papers, searching for information and literature, studying, summarising articles, and planning activities and interventions. The main advantages identified were time savings, faster access to information, support in learning, and assistance in generating ideas. The main disadvantages included unreliable information, the citation of non-existent sources, reduced critical thinking, and ethical dilemmas. The students perceived AI as a supportive tool that should not replace their own thinking and professional judgement. Discussion and conclusion: Artificial intelligence has an increasingly important role in the educational process of occupational therapy students, who use it for a variety of academic purposes. Despite its numerous benefits, its use raises important concerns regarding the reliability of information, ethical use, data protection, and the preservation of critical thinking and professional judgement. The findings indicate a need for the systematic integration of content addressing the responsible, ethical, and critical use of artificial intelligence into occupational therapy education.
|
