Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new technology that has evolved over the past few years. Artificial intelligence aims to create intelligent devices, particularly smart system software and computer programs.
This technology is intended to make it easier for people to get their work done, regardless of the nature of their job, through pre-fit data and a set of instructions. The idea revolves around using computers to complete tasks that would typically require human intelligence. A lot of data can be processed by AI in ways that are practically impossible for humans.
Being able to identify patterns, make judgments and make decisions in a similar way to humans is the primary goal of artificial intelligence. As a result, AI technology has been adopted in various fields. The most common examples of AI include navigating through voice commands using Google Maps, facial detection on laptops or mobile phones, text auto-correctors and chatbots for website assistance.
Artificial intelligence in the field of healthcare and nursing
Artificial intelligence is used in the healthcare sector to help medical personnel provide high-quality treatment more effectively and fairly. AI Doctor can enable less seasoned healthcare practitioners with limited resources to provide high-quality treatment by learning from others’ experiences.
The possible effects of these technologies on nursing practice are illustrated through instances of AI applications in the field. For example, speech recognition technology may improve and reduce the time it takes to complete nursing paperwork. Text mining is another application that uses AI technology to compile and search through voluminous nursing notes to find patients with a history of falls or drug and alcohol use problems. This helps with patient care and patient risk identification.
Similarly, deep learning and machine learning experiments have been conducted to forecast physical decline and pain perception in acute critical care. AI will soon enable graduates of an Online DNP FNP program, such as the one offered by Walsh University, to deliver accurate, personalized, evidence-based treatment that considers patients’ goals and preferences. Many forms of pertinent data, such as environmental, genetic, health and sociodemographic data, will be easier for nurses to account for using AI technology, improving their ability to deliver comprehensive care.
In addition, a large portion of the research on artificial intelligence in healthcare has concentrated on tertiary and secondary care, leaving a sizable window of opportunity to investigate nurses’ usage of artificial intelligence in primary care. These examples demonstrate that nurses are not exempt from the widespread use of AI in medical systems. AI is frequently promoted as a technology that may revolutionize the delivery of healthcare and enhance patient outcomes.
Opinions on how AI positively and negatively affects nursing
The introduction of artificial technology in nursing is typically viewed with cautious hope. The application of AI can enhance nursing care delivery by removing repetitive and time-consuming tasks that do not require specialized nursing skills or expertise, which frees up time for nurses to dedicate to patient care. Despite the apparent advantages, the use of AI within nursing poses the risk of unanticipated consequences that may be harmful. Some of the major benefits of the use of AI technologies in the field of nursing are highlighted below:
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Providing evidence-based care to patients
AI can revolutionize nursing practice and provide nurses with the resources they need to provide patients with more customized, evidence-based care.
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Providing assistance in decision-making
AI technologies may support evidence-based nursing practice by offering cognitive insights and decision assistance.
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Speeding up processes to save time
AI can provide medical professionals with more time to enhance their interactions with patients, gaining a deeper understanding of patients’ health and scientific research.
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Providing holistic patient care
Improved patient connections and current evidence-based knowledge strengthen nurses’ capacity to deliver individualized holistic care to patients.
Apart from their potential benefits, AI technologies may also have unexpected repercussions that might harm the nursing profession and its primary goals.
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Incorporation of human prejudices
There is a chance that AI will reinforce or deliberately incorporate current human prejudices into systems. Algorithmic bias arises from a computer system’s programming. The injustice referred to in algorithmic bias can be seen as the prejudice of one group against another based on a specific categorical distinction. AI systems acquire decision-making abilities through training inputs that may include human judgment errors or reflect historical or societal injustices. As a result, ageism, racial prejudice and gender bias are just a few examples of how bias in AI systems’ algorithms might manifest.
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Increased workload
A drive for efficiency-fueled goals by the market may be made worse by AI in nursing. For example, there is a significant possibility that the newly freed-up time might be used to add more patients and responsibilities to duties assigned to nurses. This would mean that instead of relieving the burden and providing more time to be productive, AI could eventually increase the burden.
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Security concerns
One concern with AI in healthcare is that it can result in security or data privacy violations. It can be vulnerable to information being misused.
The problem of human touch: Why AI cannot replace the human touch in nursing
It is undeniable that AI, along with automation, has simplified many administrative healthcare jobs. Most patients will concur that the ease of making appointments and accessing their medical records at this time is advantageous and all but expected. Despite this, it cannot replace the human touch, which is at the heart of healthcare. Nurse leaders must strike a delicate balance between maintaining the level of care and compassion that patients demand from their nurses and enhancing productivity through automation.
Most individuals prefer to converse with real humans rather than computers or recordings. Someone who can comfort them, hold their hand and understand how to meet their specific needs. Computers are unable to fully comprehend the erratic elements of human emotions. The use of automation and artificial intelligence may assist nurses’ with their workloads while helping maintain productivity considering the growing difficulties in attracting new nurses to the field and the nursing shortage. Technology can cooperate with nurses if it is used as a tool and presented as such.
Using technology’s advantages while retaining a personal touch strikes the ideal balance. While nurses use evaluation and critical thinking abilities to examine the data or for other crucial activities, basic tasks such as monitoring vital signs may be automated. This may allow nurses to spend more time delivering compassionate treatment to patients. Having the most recent technologies at their disposal can guarantee that they stay current to deliver high-quality patient care.
There are a variety of reasons why AI can never replace the human touch, despite the growth of emotionally intelligent AI, which includes the following:
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Lack of compassion and empathy
AI cannot fully comprehend and sympathize with patients’ emotional and psychological requirements, which are crucial for developing rapport and a therapeutic connection.
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Algorithmic bias
The objectivity of AI systems depends on their training data. AI systems can be prejudiced if the data used to train it is skewed, producing inaccurate or discriminating results.
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Limited knowledge of the medical context
AI’s capacity to comprehend the context in which medical choices are made is constrained. It might not be able to account for patient-specific conditions, cultural variances or other critical elements in making medical decisions.
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Potential for medical blunders and problems with accountability
It might be challenging to hold AI systems accountable when they make mistakes. In contrast to human physicians, there is limited legal precedent concerning liability involving AI.
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Human interpretation is required
While they can give suggestions, AI systems cannot independently make medical judgments; instead, they rely on human physicians to evaluate the data and reach a conclusion.
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Restricted originality
AI systems lack the creativity and instinct that human physicians utilize to arrive at complicated medical choices. They can only carry out activities for which they have been expressly programmed.
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Worries related to data privacy
Large volumes of private and medical data is collected and stored by AI systems, which creates serious privacy and security issues. Patients who are not convinced that their data will be protected could be reluctant to share their health information with AI systems.
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Continuous maintenance and inspection are required
To ensure they work properly and deliver accurate results, AI systems need constant monitoring and upkeep. This can be costly and require significant effort.
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Lack of attention to detail
Patients look to human professionals, not robots, for medical information. They require personalized attention and care as well as the opportunity to discuss private information.
