PhD Introduction Sample: Nurse Perspectives on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Personalised Care Planning

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) comprises the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence (Secinaro et al., 2021). This includes tasks such as pattern recognition, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are important within the healthcare professions (Rony et al., 2024). The use of AI in healthcare has seen a marked increase over time, with various AI technologies utilised across care settings and performing a range of tasks (Ronquillo et al., 2021). These tasks include the management of electronic health records, medication management tools, diagnostic imaging analysis, and predictive analytical tools for the prevention of illnesses and conditions (Ali et al., 2023). While diverse in scope, the use of AI in healthcare settings is intended to improve the quality of patient care and to facilitate more rapid data processing to aid clinical decision-making (Secinaro et al., 2021).

One of the potential roles of AI seen in the context of nursing practice is in developing a nursing care plan for patients (Woodnutt et al., 2024; Ruksakulpiwat et al., 2024). AI technologies may be employed to analyse patient records, identify patterns, and predict disease features and progression, all of which may inform the development of personalised care plans (Rony et al., 2024). Predictive modelling of disease progression can take into account individualised patient data, derived from records and real-time monitoring, comparing these data with historical models or wider records (Ruksakulpiwat et al., 2024). The result is that AI technologies may provide an opportunity to perform levels of data analysis that would be infeasible for nursing staff and other healthcare professionals, potentially optimising the workflow and influencing decision-making for nurses (Jansson et al., 2022).

The use of AI technologies in nursing practice has been seen in the context of many processes that may inform care plan development and associated decision-making (Ali et al., 2023; Rony et al., 2024). For instance, deep learning approaches to biomarker evaluation can offer opportunities for disease prognostication and treatment planning, which may aid clinical decision-making (Fitzgerald et al., 2021). Similarly, AI technologies may be used to evaluate patient data to evaluate prognosis, with some validation of simple models in practice (Abdulaal et al., 2020). At present, the functionality of AI technologies in producing personalised care plans for patients is in its infancy, and technologies are limited by a range of factors (von Gerich et al., 2022). These factors include the need for larger data sets for machine learning, refinement of interpretation algorithms and validation of modelling approaches in a real-world setting (Mohsin et al., 2023). However, as technology is progressing at a rapid pace and AI technologies become more powerful, it is evident that such technologies may soon become a practice reality (Seibert et al., 2023). As AI technologies become increasingly available and integrated into healthcare workflows, there is a need to consider the potential impact on the nursing profession (Maddox et al., 2019; Rony et al., 2024).

The core tenets of nursing care relate to principles of holistic care and recognise biological, social, and psychological aspects of care processes, where nursing care centres on interactions with the patient and forging therapeutic relationships that drive ethical care (Card, 2023). While nursing care relies on optimising patient outcomes, the process of care delivery remains an important element of meeting the holistic needs of the patient, promoting trust, relationships, and positive care experiences (Vasquez et al., 2023). Therefore, the use of AI must be consistent with the broader aims and principles of nursing to ensure compatibility with the expectations of this professional group (Woodnutt et al., 2024).

Importantly, the use of AI in nursing care planning may be associated with a number of considerations and concerns. For instance, a number of ethical concerns have been raised with the prospect of AI being used with increasing frequency in healthcare, including concerns over patient privacy, ethical care provision, and responsible use of technology (Rony et al., 2024). Furthermore, there are fears that AI may have a potentially negative impact on patient care processes (Molyneux, 2023). Specifically, concerns that AI may diminish the patient-centred nature of care and reduce the quality of patient-provider interactions have been expressed in the literature (Rony et al., 2024). Together, these ethical dimensions of care illustrate some of the complexities and challenges that nurses face when discussing the use of AI in practice and when implementing AI in care.

Adoption and acceptance of new technologies are crucial for successful application in healthcare settings (Seibert et al., 2023). Acceptability of AI technologies is an important contemporary issue that may have an important bearing on the potential for nurses to adopt these technologies and successfully utilise them in practice. Nursing perspectives may dictate the utilisation of AI in practice, as negative perceptions of AI and its impact on ethical dimensions of care may reduce willingness to adopt such technology (Seibert et al., 2023; Ahmed, 2024). Understanding nurse perspectives on AI when used for patient care planning may therefore have value in informing the degree to which this technology is adopted, as well as the potential future training needs of nurses as end-users of this technology (Vasquez et al., 2023). Indeed, nurses may be required not only to utilise AI technologies effectively and within the remit of ethical care principles, but also have a duty to ensure transparency in decision-making and to reduce the risk of bias within AI algorithms (Alruwaili et al., 2024). Evaluation of nurse perspectives may therefore allow for a deeper understanding of views and attitudes towards AI, as well as identifying challenges in nurse use of AI in practice, facilitating the development of strategies to facilitate adoption and acceptance of these new technologies (Seibert et al., 2023).  

As the introduction of AI is considered an inevitability, there is a clear need to appreciate nurses’ perspectives on this topic. This includes a specific focus on the role of AI technologies in developing personalised care plans, which may have a significant impact on the role of the nurse. To date there is a lack of knowledge on nursing perspectives on this topic, limiting the potential to identify challenges and to optimise AI adoption. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the perspectives of nurses regarding the use of AI in personalised care planning for patients.

References

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