Impact of generative artificial intelligence on the professional qualities curriculum and reflection essays during physician training

The professional development curriculum is a vital component in physician training and is important for helping trainees develop as competent and reflective practitioners. The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) will likely have a significant impact on the assessment of the professional qualities curriculum in physician training. The development of professional qualities as well as self-reflection is currently assessed through personal reflection essays. These reflection essays are particularly vulnerable to new developments in generative AI, which are capable of producing high-quality outputs that can pass as trainee-created responses. Generative AI-produced reflection essays are becoming increasingly difficult to detect using AI-detection software. The challenge remains how best to incorporate AI into learning while safeguarding the attainment and assessment of learning goals within the multiple domains of professional development. This article discusses several options for safeguarding the professional qualities curriculum in medical education and vocational training. Discussion-based activities may very well prove to be a suitable potential replacement for the current professional reflection essay.