Nurses Express Concerns and Optimism About AI Integration in Healthcare
TL/DR –
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in healthcare, but nurses have expressed concerns about the lack of consultation on how AI tools are integrated into processes, and about the safety and accuracy of these tools for patients. According to a survey by McKinsey & Co. and the American Nurses Foundation, 64% of nurses would like to see more AI tools at work, but have concerns about their accuracy, lack of human interaction, and inadequate guidance on their use. Nurses also object to AI tools being marketed as a substitute for or cheaper alternative to nurses, arguing that healthcare providers need to consult with nurses on the deployment of AI tools, and that patients should be explicitly told when they are communicating with an AI agent.
The Increasing Role of AI in Healthcare and Nurses’ Concerns
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly relevant in the healthcare sector, with nurses welcoming the prospect of AI tools assisting their jobs. However, concerns are being raised about the implementation of AI solutions without consulting nurses, and the potential impact on patient safety and accuracy.
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the American Nurses Association, believes AI can assist nurses by reducing documentation time, thus allowing for more patient care. Yet, she also acknowledges concerns about the performance of AI tools for clinical use, particularly due to a lack of nursing involvement in their creation.
A survey in October 2024 by McKinsey & Co. and the American Nurses Foundation found that 64% of nurses desire more AI tools at work. However, they also expressed worries about accuracy, lack of human interaction, and insufficient guidance on AI use.
AI Tools Mislabelling and Nurses’ Concern
Nurses have taken issue with AI tools being labelled as substitutes for nursing or marketed as cheaper alternatives. Legislation in Oregon has been proposed to prevent AI tools from being labelled as nurses.
Vicki Good, chief clinical officer of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and Kennedy both agree that AI tools should not be marketed as nurses. They argue that AI tools should be accurately labelled and patients should explicitly be informed when interacting with an AI agent for their protection.
Nursing Perspectives on AI
Lavonia Thomas, nursing informatics officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Jing Wang, dean of the first master’s nursing program on AI in healthcare, emphasize nurses’ primary concern with patient safety and desire for more training on AI use.
AI Implementation and the Importance of Nurses’ Input
AI tools for reducing documentation time and easing shift changes are welcomed. However, issues arise when hospitals fail to consult nurses before deploying AI solutions. Without nurses’ insight, hospitals may invest in ineffective solutions, leading to wasted resources and the potential for tools that fall short of expectation.
Nurses are urging for their input to be considered in the development and implementation of AI tools, reinforcing their valuable insights on how AI can truly benefit healthcare and nursing practice.
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