The effect of ChatGPT on the development of medical waste attitudes, behaviors, and environmental awareness among university students: A quasi-experimental study

Kaya N., PARLAK L., DURU P.

Evaluation and Program Planning, vol.111, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 111
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2025.102595
  • Journal Name: Evaluation and Program Planning
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ASSIA, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, PAIS International, Political Science Complete, Psycinfo, Public Administration Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Keywords: AI-assisted education, ChatGPT, Educational Technologies, Environmental awareness, Medical waste management, University students
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of ChatGPT on developing medical waste attitudes, behaviors, and environmental awareness among university students. Conducted between March and June 2023 as quasi-experimental research, the study involved 76 students divided into study and control groups. The “Waste Management” course was taught with ChatGPT-supported instruction for the study group over 14 weeks. Results show that ChatGPT-assisted education did not significantly improve students' medical waste attitudes and behaviors but positively influenced their environmental awareness. Students in the study group found ChatGPT helpful in acquiring information and raising awareness, significantly increasing their environmental awareness compared to the control group. However, the expected positive effect on medical waste attitudes was not observed, indicating that educational methods should be reevaluated. In conclusion, ChatGPT can be an effective tool in environmental education, but more interactive and practical applications are needed to improve medical waste attitudes. Future studies should explore AI-supported education methods across different fields more comprehensively.