Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators

BackgroundLarge language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to streamline health care administration by enhancing efficiency in document drafting, resource allocation, and communication tasks. Despite this potential, the adoption of such tools a...

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Main Authors: Jun Chen, Yu Liu, Peng Liu, Yiming Zhao, Yan Zuo, Hui Duan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Medical Internet Research
Online Access:https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70789
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author Jun Chen
Yu Liu
Peng Liu
Yiming Zhao
Yan Zuo
Hui Duan
author_facet Jun Chen
Yu Liu
Peng Liu
Yiming Zhao
Yan Zuo
Hui Duan
author_sort Jun Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundLarge language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to streamline health care administration by enhancing efficiency in document drafting, resource allocation, and communication tasks. Despite this potential, the adoption of such tools among hospital administrators remains understudied, particularly at the individual level. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore factors influencing the adoption and use of LLM AI tools among hospital administrators in China, focusing on enablers, barriers, and practical applications in daily administrative tasks. MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected through semistructured face-to-face interviews with 31 hospital administrators across 3 tertiary hospitals in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu from June 2024 to August 2024. The Colaizzi method was used for thematic analysis to identify patterns in participants’ experiences and perspectives. ResultsAdoption of LLM AI tools was generally low, with significant site-specific variations. Participants with higher technological familiarity and positive early experiences reported more frequent use, while barriers such as mistrust in tool accuracy, limited prompting skills, and insufficient training hindered broader adoption. Tools were primarily used for document drafting, with limited exploration of advanced functionalities. Participants strongly emphasized the need for structured training programs and institutional support to enhance usability and confidence. ConclusionsFamiliarity with technology, positive early experiences, and openness to innovation may facilitate adoption, while barriers such as limited knowledge, mistrust in tool accuracy, and insufficient prompting skills can hinder broader use. LLM AI tools are now primarily used for basic tasks such as document drafting, with limited application to more advanced functionalities due to a lack of training and confidence. Structured tutorials and institutional support are needed to enhance usability and integration. Targeted training programs, combined with organizational strategies to build trust and improve accessibility, could enhance adoption rates and broaden tool use. Future quantitative investigations should validate the adoption rate and influencing factors.
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spelling doaj-art-39fa2d837759414caef270bddbdec0cc2025-08-20T03:06:13ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712025-04-0127e7078910.2196/70789Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital AdministratorsJun Chenhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-1494-1418Yu Liuhttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-9401-2330Peng Liuhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8484-6374Yiming Zhaohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8790-172XYan Zuohttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1397-013XHui Duanhttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-6515-2357 BackgroundLarge language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to streamline health care administration by enhancing efficiency in document drafting, resource allocation, and communication tasks. Despite this potential, the adoption of such tools among hospital administrators remains understudied, particularly at the individual level. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore factors influencing the adoption and use of LLM AI tools among hospital administrators in China, focusing on enablers, barriers, and practical applications in daily administrative tasks. MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive qualitative design was used. Data were collected through semistructured face-to-face interviews with 31 hospital administrators across 3 tertiary hospitals in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu from June 2024 to August 2024. The Colaizzi method was used for thematic analysis to identify patterns in participants’ experiences and perspectives. ResultsAdoption of LLM AI tools was generally low, with significant site-specific variations. Participants with higher technological familiarity and positive early experiences reported more frequent use, while barriers such as mistrust in tool accuracy, limited prompting skills, and insufficient training hindered broader adoption. Tools were primarily used for document drafting, with limited exploration of advanced functionalities. Participants strongly emphasized the need for structured training programs and institutional support to enhance usability and confidence. ConclusionsFamiliarity with technology, positive early experiences, and openness to innovation may facilitate adoption, while barriers such as limited knowledge, mistrust in tool accuracy, and insufficient prompting skills can hinder broader use. LLM AI tools are now primarily used for basic tasks such as document drafting, with limited application to more advanced functionalities due to a lack of training and confidence. Structured tutorials and institutional support are needed to enhance usability and integration. Targeted training programs, combined with organizational strategies to build trust and improve accessibility, could enhance adoption rates and broaden tool use. Future quantitative investigations should validate the adoption rate and influencing factors.https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70789
spellingShingle Jun Chen
Yu Liu
Peng Liu
Yiming Zhao
Yan Zuo
Hui Duan
Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
Journal of Medical Internet Research
title Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
title_full Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
title_fullStr Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
title_full_unstemmed Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
title_short Adoption of Large Language Model AI Tools in Everyday Tasks: Multisite Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study of Chinese Hospital Administrators
title_sort adoption of large language model ai tools in everyday tasks multisite cross sectional qualitative study of chinese hospital administrators
url https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70789
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