Developing a Canadian artificial intelligence medical curriculum using a Delphi study

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) education into medical curricula is critical for preparing future healthcare professionals. This research employed the Delphi method to establish an expert-based AI curriculum for Canadian undergraduate medical students. A panel of 18 experts in health and AI across Canada participated in three rounds of surveys to determine essential AI learning competencies. The study identified key curricular components across ethics, law, theory, application, communication, collaboration, and quality improvement. The findings demonstrate substantial support among medical educators and professionals for the inclusion of comprehensive AI education, with 82 out of 107 curricular competencies being deemed essential to address both clinical and educational priorities. It additionally provides suggestions on methods to integrate these competencies within existing dense medical curricula. The endorsed set of objectives aims to enhance AI literacy and application skills among medical students, equipping them to effectively utilize AI technologies in future healthcare settings.