Artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice: Attitude and willingness of the community pharmacists and the barriers for its implementation

• Published in: Saudi pharmaceutical journal 2023-08, Vol.31 (8), p.101700-101700, Article 101700
• Main Authors: Jarab, Anan S., Al-Qerem, Walid, Alzoubi, Karem H, Obeidat, Haneen, Abu Heshmeh, Shrouq, Mukattash, Tareq L., Naser, Yara A., Al-Azayzih, Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Attitude; Barrier; Jordan; Original; Pharmacist; Willingness
• ISSN: 1319-0164; 2213-7475
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101700

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capacity of machines to perform tasks that ordinarily require human intelligence. AI can be utilized in various pharmaceutical applications with less time and cost. To evaluate community pharmacists’ willingness and attitudes towards the adoption of AI technology at pharmacy settings, and the barriers that hinder AI implementation. This cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Jordan using an online-based questionnaire. In addition to socio-demographics, the survey assessed pharmacists’ willingness, attitudes, and barriers to AI adoption in pharmacy. Binary logistic regression was conducted to find the variables that are independently associated with willingness and attitude towards AI implementation. The present study enrolled 401 pharmacist participants. The median age was 30 (29–33) years. Most of the pharmacists were females (66.6%), had bachelor’s degree of pharmacy (56.1%), had low-income (54.6%), and had one to five years of experience (35.9%). The pharmacists showed good willingness and attitude towards AI implementation at pharmacy (n = 401). The most common barriers to AI were lack of AI-related software and hardware (79.2%), the need for human supervision (76.4%), and the high running cost of AI (74.6%). Longer weekly working hours (attitude: OR = 1.072, 95% C.I (1.040–1.104), P