Assessment of the knowledge and the application of Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy practice by Community Pharmacists in the city of Tripoli/Libya and Suburbs

الملخص

Artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms various industries, including healthcare. Community pharmacies play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to patients, and the integration of AI tools and AI systems into these pharmacies has the potential to enhance the quality of care and improve efficiency significantly. 
Objectives: This research aims to explore the use of artificial intelligence tools and systems in community pharmacy in Libya, focusing on the city of Tripoli.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involved 97 pharmacists in Tripoli district, Libya community pharmacies. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about pharmacists' use of AI tools and AI systems, the benefits and challenges they experience, and their expectations for the future of AI in community pharmacies.
 Results: The study found that AI tools and AI systems are becoming increasingly common in community pharmacies in Tripoli, Libya. 74.23% of pharmacists are aware of AI tools and 60.82% utilize them in their pharmacies. The benefits of AI use were improved patient care quality, increased customer satisfaction, and reduced costs by 31.96%, 37.11%, and 21.65%. respectively, however, challenges of AI adoption were Integration difficulties with existing systems 28.87%,  high cost  43.30%, lack of training 37.11% and security and privacy concerns 36.08%,  although expectations for the future of AI 59.79% believed that AI use will become more prevalent in the coming years.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that AI tools and AI systems are gaining traction in community pharmacies in Tripoli, Libya. Pharmacists recognize the diverse advantages of AI adoption, including improved patient care, enhanced efficiency, and cost reduction. While challenges such as high costs, training gaps, and integration issues exist, pharmacists remain optimistic about the future of AI in their practice.