Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41807961›Full record

SynthesisBMC medical education2026

Assessing the effectiveness of artificial intelligence education and training for healthcare workers: a systematic review.

Leanna Woods, Kayley Lyons, Anton Van Der Vegt, Quita Olsen, Wenyao Huang, Johnson S Khor, Nancy Xu, Clair Sullivan

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Leanna WoodsQueensland Digital Health Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Level 5 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia. Lee.woods@uq.edu.au.
Kayley LyonsCentre for Digital Transformation of Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Anton Van Der VegtQueensland Digital Health Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Level 5 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
Quita OlsenQueensland Digital Health Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Level 5 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
Wenyao HuangSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Johnson S KhorFaculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Nancy XuFaculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Clair SullivanQueensland Digital Health Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Level 5 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare, yet upskilling the health workforce remains a challenge. We addressed the research question: What evidence exists on the effectiveness of AI education and training programs in improving AI literacy among healthcare workers?

methodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration, five databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, ERIC) were searched on 20 August 2024, focusing on studies with an intervention of AI training or education for the healthcare workforce, in any study design that reported an evaluation.

results27 studies were included. Programs improved AI literacy outcomes mapped to levels 1–3 of the Kirkpatrick-Barr training evaluation hierarchy including improved learner reactions, shifts in attitudes and perceptions, enhanced knowledge and skills, and behavior changes. Programs did not map to level 4, where healthcare workers learn to metacognition levels, including organizational change and patient benefit. Programs were short in length (44%), delivered in academic settings (56%), to doctors (44%) or medical students (44%), at entry-to-practice level (56%). Most taught an introduction to AI (67%), with technical AI skills less frequent.

conclusionsThese programs are a promising start but often lack sufficient depth to build advanced competencies. Improving AI literacy in healthcare will require appropriate course design, an evolving understanding of this rapidly changing area, and evaluating learning effectiveness. As the adoption of AI accelerates across healthcare, health systems may seek to standardise and assess the efficacy of these courses.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceHealth PersonnelHumansArtificial intelligenceEducationHealth personnelHealth workforceTraining programs

Identifiers

PMID41807961
PMCPMC13045066

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.