OSF HealthCare, a 16-hospital system based in Peoria, Illinois, has initiated a mandatory education program for its 24,000 employees to ensure a widespread understanding of generative AI. This initiative spans all roles, from custodial staff to top executives, underlining the organization’s commitment to embracing AI-driven efficiencies.
The program is crucial as OSF HealthCare, like many nonprofit health systems, operates on thin margins and faces ongoing workforce shortages and clinician burnout, especially post-COVID-19.
The education aims to equip the entire workforce with the necessary knowledge to leverage generative AI effectively, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing administrative burdens.
The health system recognized the urgency of quickly adopting generative AI tools while ensuring employees were adequately educated about their use. Given the wide range of roles within the organization and varying levels of existing knowledge about AI, traditional educational methods were deemed insufficient.
OSF HealthCare needed to create a program that was both engaging and accessible, with content tailored to a diverse audience. To meet this challenge, the organization designed short, engaging lessons using mixed media and generative AI tools to keep the content interesting and relevant.
To ensure a strong foundation in AI literacy, OSF HealthCare developed a course titled “Getting to Know Generative AI,” which was made mandatory for all employees. The content was modular, allowing it to be easily digestible and engaging.
The organization used Articulate Rise software to compile various interactive elements, visuals, videos, and text, much of which was generated by AI tools. This approach aimed to maintain the attention of employees, who may have short attention spans, while emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and innovation in healthcare.
The educational rollout was strategic, with different versions of the training tailored to leaders, providers, and other roles within the organization. The training was hosted on an internally designed platform called Corporate University, which is accessible through the OSF HealthCare employee portal.
The program included brief quizzes to ensure comprehension and was designed to be completed in about 15 minutes. The mandatory training was accompanied by follow-up emails to ensure compliance, and a survey was conducted to assess the impact of the education.
The results of the initiative were promising, with 78.75% of employees completing the mandatory education. Of those who completed the training, 74% reported that it enhanced their knowledge of generative AI, and 65% found the content relevant to their role.
These metrics indicate that the education program was effective in reaching a broad and diverse group of employees, both clinical and non-clinical. The program’s success highlights the creativity and thoughtfulness required to develop meaningful education for a large and varied workforce.
OSF HealthCare’s approach to generative AI education offers valuable insights for other organizations. With the rapid spread of AI technologies, it is crucial to ensure that all employees understand the expectations and guidelines for using these tools.
Continuous training will be necessary as AI tools evolve and new features and use cases emerge. Understanding the audience and designing education that aligns with how people consume information today is key to effective learning.
Transparency about the use of AI in the creation of educational content is also essential to maintain ethical standards.
To support ongoing learning and sharing of best practices, OSF HealthCare has developed a tool called Prompt Buddy, which will be integrated into Microsoft Teams.
This tool allows employees to share and learn from each other’s successful AI prompts, fostering a collaborative learning environment. This initiative reflects OSF HealthCare’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in healthcare delivery through the responsible use of generative AI.
