Machine learning algorithms for the creation of clinical healthcare enterprise systems

Artificial intelligence in nursing and midwifery: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques are being applied in nursing and midwifery to improve decision-making, patient care and service delivery. However, an understanding of the real-world applications of AI across all domains of both professions is limited.

OBJECTIVES

To synthesise literature on AI in nursing and midwifery.

METHODS

CINAHL, Embase, PubMed and Scopus were searched using relevant terms. Titles, abstracts and full texts were screened against eligibility criteria. Data were extracted, analysed, and findings were presented in a descriptive summary. The PRISMA checklist guided the review conduct and reporting.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty articles were included. Nurses' and midwives' involvement in AI varied, with some taking an active role in testing, using or evaluating AI-based technologies; however, many studies did not include either profession. AI was mainly applied in clinical practice to direct patient care (n = 115, 82.14%), with fewer studies focusing on administration and management (n = 21, 15.00%), or education (n = 4, 2.85%). Benefits reported were primarily potential as most studies trained and tested AI algorithms. Only a handful (n = 8, 7.14%) reported actual benefits when AI techniques were applied in real-world settings. Risks and limitations included poor quality datasets that could introduce bias, the need for clinical interpretation of AI-based results, privacy and trust issues, and inadequate AI expertise among the professions.

CONCLUSION

Digital health datasets should be put in place to support the testing, use, and evaluation of AI in nursing and midwifery. Curricula need to be developed to educate the professions about AI, so they can lead and participate in these digital initiatives in healthcare.

RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Adult, paediatric, mental health and learning disability nurses, along with midwives should have a more active role in rigorous, interdisciplinary research evaluating AI-based technologies in professional practice to determine their clinical efficacy as well as their ethical, legal and social implications in healthcare.

Predicted Influences of Artificial Intelligence on the Domains of Nursing: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform the health system, yet little research to date has explored its influence on nurses-the largest group of health professionals. Furthermore, there has been little discussion on how AI will influence the experience of person-centered compassionate care for patients, families, and caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to summarize the extant literature on the emerging trends in health technologies powered by AI and their implications on the following domains of nursing: administration, clinical practice, policy, and research. This review summarizes the findings from 3 research questions, examining how these emerging trends might influence the roles and functions of nurses and compassionate nursing care over the next 10 years and beyond.

METHODS

Using an established scoping review methodology, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central, Education Resources Information Center, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases were searched. In addition to the electronic database searches, a targeted website search was performed to access relevant gray literature. Abstracts and full-text studies were independently screened by 2 reviewers using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included articles focused on nursing and digital health technologies that incorporate AI. Data were charted using structured forms and narratively summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 131 articles were retrieved from the scoping review for the 3 research questions that were the focus of this manuscript (118 from database sources and 13 from targeted websites). Emerging AI technologies discussed in the review included predictive analytics, smart homes, virtual health care assistants, and robots. The results indicated that AI has already begun to influence nursing roles, workflows, and the nurse-patient relationship. In general, robots are not viewed as replacements for nurses. There is a consensus that health technologies powered by AI may have the potential to enhance nursing practice. Consequently, nurses must proactively define how person-centered compassionate care will be preserved in the age of AI.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses have a shared responsibility to influence decisions related to the integration of AI into the health system and to ensure that this change is introduced in a way that is ethical and aligns with core nursing values such as compassionate care. Furthermore, nurses must advocate for patient and nursing involvement in all aspects of the design, implementation, and evaluation of these technologies.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/17490.