Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the current status of artificial intelligence (AI) application in scientific research among medical postgraduates and explore the role of AI in scientific research.Methods　A total of 35 medical postgraduates from the 2022, 2023 and 2024 cohorts who rotated in the Department of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University were recruited as the research subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to compare the differences in the role of AI in improving research capabilities and research performance among postgraduates of different grades, as well as the differences in AI application proficiency among postgraduates of different grades.Results　In terms of research skills, the score of third-year postgraduates was significantly higher than that of first-year postgraduates [51.00 (44.00, 52.00) points vs 40.00 (39.00, 42.25) points, P=0.030]. In terms of research-related attitudes and total research scores, there was an increasing trend with the advancement of academic grades. After AI application, there was a statistically significant difference in the recognition rate of improved capabilities in literature retrieval and evidence quality evaluation among postgraduates of different grades (the recognition rates of first-, second- and third-year postgraduates were 87.50%, 26.32% and 25.00% respectively, P=0.020), with third-year postgraduates showing a higher recognition rate than first- and second-year postgraduates. There was also a statistically significant difference in the recognition rate of enhanced ability to handle unexpected situations in scientific research with AI assistance among postgraduates of different grades (the recognition rates of first-, second- and third-year postgraduates were 87.50%, 57.89% and 12.50% respectively, P=0.038), and the recognition rate of third-year postgraduates was higher than that of first-year postgraduates. AI application proficiency was positively correlated with research capabilities and research performance.Conclusion　AI is conducive to improving the research capabilities of medical postgraduates, among whom third-year postgraduates have achieved the most significant improvement and demonstrated the strongest AI application proficiency.