Artificial Intelligence and Digital Divide in Physiotherapy Education

Cureus. 2024 Jan 20;16(1):e52617. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52617. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and education has become increasingly evident, promising to revolutionize how healthcare professionals deliver services and how learners engage with educational content. AI enhances individualized student learning experiences and transforms education delivery by adapting to emerging healthcare advancements. We emphasize the current need for more exploration of AI's applications in day-to-day education in physiotherapy schools. We conducted a PubMed search, revealing a significant gap in research on AI in physiotherapy education compared to medical and dental education. Knowledge gaps and varied perspectives among Canadian healthcare students, including physiotherapy students, highlight the need for targeted educational strategies and ethical considerations. We conclude with a call to bridge the digital divide in physiotherapy education, stressing the importance of integrating AI to empower students and foster innovation in physiotherapy education.

Keywords: ai; artificial intelligence; education; physical therapy; physical therapy rehabilitation; physiotherapy; physiotherapy education; physiotherapy students; teaching technology; tele-physiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Editorial