Background: Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) addresses gaps in nursing curricula regarding social determinants of health (SDOH) by offering interactive simulations that connect theory to real-world practice. Purpose: This study compared GAI learning activities against traditional teaching tools to evaluate increases in student competence and knowledge about SDOH. Methods: Using mixed-model analysis of variance and independent samples t -tests, the study evaluated 55 nursing students who completed the Assessing Student Competence and Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health instrument at pre- and post-test. Results: A significant interaction effect ( P =.015) showed the GAI-enhanced learning group’s mean increase (4.47) was nearly double that of the traditional group (2.44). An effect size of d = 0.69 confirmed the practical educational importance of the GAI intervention. Conclusions: Generative artificial intelligence is an effective, low-cost tool for developing SDOH competence, suggesting that innovative pedagogical approaches significantly improve learning outcomes compared with traditional instruction.
Jessica H. Ochs (Mon,) studied this question.