Analysis of the professional competencies of certified care workers and their consistency with the “desired image of certified care workers” using generative AI

Abstract

[Objective] This study aimed to reconstruct the professional competencies of certified care workers and to examine the conceptual consistency between these competencies and the “Desired Image of Certified Care Workers” presented by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. [Methods]A total of 198 codes extracted from previous studies were reanalyzed using generative AI (OpenAI o4-mini-high). The categories derived from the analysis were compared with six categories identified through a literature review and with 11 items from the “Desired Image of Certified Care Workers.”[Results]The AI-based analysis extracted 11 categories representing the professional competencies of certified care workers, demonstrating a high degree of consistency with the six literature-based categories. Two new concepts, “Promotion of Independence and Life Purpose” and “Observation and Assessment,” were identified, with the latter emerging as an independent category. Comparison with the “Desired Image” revealed strong correspondence for eight items and partial correspondence for three items.[Conclusion] The use of generative AI clarified that the professional competencies of certified care workers can be conceptualized as a three-layered structure consisting of values, practice, and technical knowledge. Future challenges include standardizing terminology and definitions and verifying the reproducibility of AI-based analyses.