Development of an Evidence-Based Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curriculum for Physiotherapy Students in India: A Methods Paper

Abstract

Objective: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into global healthcare necessitates corresponding advancements in health professions education. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based AI literacy curriculum specifically tailored for physiotherapy students in India, where such training is currently absent. Methods: A systematic curriculum development process was employed, guided by Kern’s sixstep framework. This involved a literature review of global AI applications in physiotherapy and healthcare education, a targeted needs assessment identifying gaps in current Indian physiotherapy training, and synthesis and contextualization to adapt international evidence for the Indian healthcare setting. Results: The outcome is a detailed 12-week, 36-contact-hour curriculum titled 'Artificial Intelligence Literacy in Physiotherapy Practice'. The curriculum consists of five sequential modules emphasizing low-cost tools, Indian case studies, ethical reasoning, and hands-on exercises. Conclusion: This paper provides a rigorously developed, ready-to-implement framework to address the critical gap in AI literacy within Indian physiotherapy education. Future research should evaluate its effectiveness in improving student competencies and readiness for AIintegrated healthcare.