Digital nursing 1: exploring the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence – Nursing Times
Artificial intelligence is already used in healthcare; this first article in a three-part series on digital healthcare looks at the benefits and risks
Artificial intelligence is already being used to support advanced clinical decisions, improve the accuracy and safety of care, and plan and manage NHS resources. It can make machines do things that used to require human intelligence, and can draw on huge amounts of data to make calculations that are beyond any human being. Artificial intelligence-enabled robots are being developed to take on some nursing functions. Nurses need to examine how their own roles may be changed and advocate for patient involvement in light of emerging technologies. They will also need training and support to feel confident using artificial intelligence tools. This first article in a series on digital healthcare examines the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence.
Citation: Agnew T (2022) Digital nursing 1: exploring the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence. Nursing Times [online]; 118: 8.
Author: Thelma Agnew is a freelance health journalist.
The ministerial forward to Joshi and Morleys (2019) report, published by NHSX, provided one key reason to be excited about artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare: put simply, this technology can make the NHS even better at what it does: treating and caring for people. AI is exciting, but what is it, exactly? This first in a series of articles about digital healthcare will discuss the benefits and risks of AI.
Increasingly, nurses are encouraged to lead and shape emerging digital technologies, to ensure the changes made are fit for purpose and ward against unintended consequences, such as increased workloads, dehumanised care and the exclusion of already marginalised groups of people. The areas that could be improved, or even transformed by AI, according to Joshi and Morleys (2019) report, include:
Despite this, it is difficult to approach, let alone lead on, technological advancements if nurses do not understand them, and AI may feel too big to grasp at times.
There are many definitions in the ever-growing literature released about AI. Joshi and Morleys (2019) report suggested that one of the most useful definitions in the field of healthcare is also the oldest; they explained that it dates from a research project in 1955 and stated that AI is the science of making machines do things that would require intelligence if done by people.
A publication by The Kings Fund namely, Mistry (2020) gave a more detailed, but still straightforward explanation, stating that AI is an umbrella term encompassing a number of different approaches where software replicates functions that have, until recently, been synonymous with human intelligence. This includes a wide spectrum of abilities such as visually identifying and classifying objects [and] converting speech to text and text to speech.
The origins of AI go back decades, so why are we hearing so much about it now? One reason is that recent developments in applied mathematics and computer science have made computers much better at reading patterns in large amounts of complex data, releasing AIs potential (Mistry, 2020). The possibilities of AI are being further expanded by machine learning, which has been defined by Mistry (2020) as a type of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn without being explicitly programmed, meaning they can teach themselves to change when exposed to new data.
Most health staff still lack direct experience with AI technologies, as is highlighted in Nix et als (2022) report, developed by NHS AI Lab and Health Education England (Box 1). However, the increasing use of AI technologies in nursing, such as providing information for advanced clinical decision support, is thought to be inevitable (Booth et al, 2021; Robert, 2019).
Box 1. AI technologies: a strange science is about to become more familiar
A survey of >1,000 NHS staff in the UK by The Health Foundation namely, Hardie et al (2021) found that three-quarters of respondents had heard, seen or read not very much or nothing at all about AI. The survey also found:
The Health Foundation survey identified fears among health workers that AI technologies present a threat to their jobs. This has been echoed in several other studies, along with concerns about data governance, cyber security, patient safety and fairness (Nix et al, 2022).
The reservations about AI are unlikely to put the brakes on their adoption in healthcare. Nix et als (2022) report points to evidence that use of AI is accelerating, with an increasing number of AI technologies expected to be used in healthcare in the next three years. It highlights the AI roadmap report by Health Education England and Unity Insights (2021), which surveyed more than 200 AI technologies: 20% were estimated to be ready for large-scale deployment in 2022, with an additional 40% ready in the next three years.
AI = artificial intelligence
AI-enabled decision support systems potentially provide numerous benefits; for example, they have already dramatically improved the detection of sepsis (Horng et al, 2017). However, there are also risks, as AI is only as good as its data. Nix et als (2022) report warns that confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) is not always desirable when using it for clinical decision making, and nurses need to recognise when to balance it with other sources of clinical information (Box 2).
Box 2. Confidence in using AI for clinical decision making
A recent report from NHS AI Lab and Health Education England recommends:
The main recommendation from the report is to develop educational pathways and materials for all health professionals to equip them to confidently evaluate, adopt and use AI (Nix et al, 2022).
AI = artificial intelligence
AI systems that evolve themselves may reflect or reinforce societal biases (for example, racial biases) and other inequities present in the data (Obermeyer et al, 2019; Gianfrancesco et al, 2018). It is important for nurses to be involved in innovations such as AI to make sure they are developing systems in line with ethical frameworks and to advocate for patient involvement (Booth et al, 2021). There is also a risk that AI systems that perform extremely well in controlled conditions will be less impressive in the real world, and there are unanswered questions about their safety and cost effectiveness in healthcare settings (Maguire et al, 2021).
The NHS is already using AI and machine learning, at a population level, to help identify older people in local areas who are at risk of frailty and adverse health outcomes; one example of this is the Electronic Frailty Index, which draws on data that is routinely recorded by GP practices (NHS England, 2017).
Predictive analytics in electronic patient records should also, increasingly, help doctors and nurses to diagnose and treat the individual patient in front of them (HEE, 2019). AI has also played a key role in informing the governments response to the coronavirus pandemic: the launch of the NHS Covid-19 Data Store by NHSX has aided the analysis of vast amounts of data to:
AI is also central to the governments new digital health and social care plan (Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, 2022). This includes using AI to develop new diagnostics capacity to enable image-sharing and clinical decision support... These technologies support testing close to home, streamlining of pathways, triaging of waiting lists, faster diagnosis and levelling up under-served areas
With the development of smaller and more-sophisticated electronic components, robots embedded with AI will likely become more widely used in healthcare. (Mistry, 2020; HEE, 2019). The highly influential Topol review predicted that robots would become the hardware for AI, performing manual and cognitive tasks, and freeing up healthcare staff to spend more time doing things that are uniquely human, such as interacting with patients (HEE, 2019).
This picture is complicated by the fact that robots have also been developed to provide social and emotional support to people, arguably blurring the line between machines and humans. Examples currently in use include:
A common theme in the literature on AI and robotics in healthcare is the expectation that patients, as well as staff, will receive multiple benefits from the introduction of intelligent machines, with improvements in early diagnosis, and the accuracy and safety of care (Mistry, 2020; HEE, 2019). Unlike human healthcare workers, robots never get bored or tired, are unaffected by hazards in clinical settings, such as X-ray radiation, and can endlessly repeat tasks that require precision without a drop in performance (Mistry, 2020). The potential is there for robotics to help with everything from moving patients to surgical procedures that are beyond the capabilities of surgeons (Mistry, 2020).
With the input of nurses, robots are also being developed to take on some nursing functions, including:
Developments do not mean that nurses are about to be replaced by intelligent machines, but they do suggest that nursing, as it is currently understood, will change. A 2019 study by former American Nurses Association executive vice president Nancy Robert suggested that the arrival of telehealth and smart robots in peoples homes will see nursing evolve into more of a coaching role, guiding patients to improve their health and providing continuity of care, but still being physically present at the bedside when it really matters (Robert, 2019). A nursing dean quoted in the study said they could not imagine ever choosing a robot over a human to care for them if they were dying, and stated that: Nuances in human behaviour will keep nurses on the front line of care (Robert, 2019).
It is hoped that AI and robotics will work together as assistants to nurses by, on the one hand, supporting advanced clinical decisions and, on the other, automating basic tasks that are time consuming but could be performed by someone or something else. In this vision of an AI-enabled future, machines free up nurses professionally to use their education, skills and experience (Robert, 2019). A barrier to nurses using the technology to fulfil their potential could be other healthcare disciplines resistance to nurses practising at the top of their licence (Robert, 2019).
There is also the risk that, as AI tools become more widely used in healthcare, they will influence how nurses practise, without nurses having the opportunity to influence them. A 2021 study on how the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future called for an immediate inquiry into the influence of AI on nursing practice for the next 10 years and beyond (Booth et al, 2021). The authors pointed out that the increased use of AI is bringing with it new policy, regulatory, legal and ethical issues; they called on the nursing profession to:
Robert (2019) suggests that nurses have a responsibility to ask about the data used to train AI systems they use, and ensure they have been checked for bias.
As outlined in Box 3, nurses will need training and support to feel confident in, and overcome the barriers to, using AI tools which will only work properly if the ageing technology infrastructure of the NHS improves (Joshi and Morley, 2019). The excitement about AI is justified but it is important not to get dazzled by the hype (Joshi and Morley, 2019).
Box 3. AI and robotics in healthcare: barriers and learning
Health Education Englands (2019) Topol review identified significant barriers to the deployment of AI and robotics in the NHS. These included:
Along with a code of conduct and guidance on the effectiveness of the technologies, the review called for workforce learning in three key areas:
AI = artificial intelligence.
Booth RG et al (2021) How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. BMJ; 373: n1190.
Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England (2022) A plan for digital health and social care. gov.uk. 29 June (accessed 29 June 2022).
Gianfrancesco MA et al (2018) Potential biases in machine learning algorithms using electronic health record data. JAMA Internal Medicine; 178: 11, 1544-1547.
Gould M et al (2020) The power of data in a pandemic. digileaders.com, 15 April (accessed 21 June 2022).
Hardie T et al (2021) Switched On: How Do We Get the Best out of Automation and AI in Health Care? The Health Foundation.
Health Education England and Unity Insights (2021) AI Roadmap: Methodology and Findings Report. HEE
Health Education England (2019) The Topol Review: Preparing the Healthcare Workforce to Deliver the Digital Future. HEE.
Horng S et al (2017) Creating an automated trigger for sepsis clinical decision support at emergency department triage using machine learning. PLoS ONE; 12: 4, e0174708.
Joshi I, Morley J (2019) Artificial Intelligence: How to Get it Right Putting Policy into Practice for Safe Data-driven Innovation in Health and Care. NHSX.
Maguire D et al (2021) Shaping the Future of Digital Technology in Health and Social Care. The Kings Fund.
Mistry P (2020) The digital revolution: eight technologies that will change health and care. kingsfund.org.uk, 13 November (accessed 21 June).
NHS England (2017) Supporting Routine Frailty Identification and Frailty Through the GP Contract 2017/2018. NHS England.
Nix M et al (2022) Understanding Healthcare Workers Confidence in AI. NHS.
Obermeyer Z et al (2019) Dissecting racial bias in an algorithm used to manage the health of populations. Science; 366: 6464, 447-453.
Robert N (2019) How artificial intelligence is changing nursing. Nursing Management; 50:9, 30-39.
Don't miss more great clinical content from Nursing TimesNT Bitesize learning videos helping you to organise learning to fit in with your scheduleClinical zones keep up to date with articles in your clinical subject or nursing role/settingCPD zone user-friendly online learning units on fundamental aspects of nursingJournal Club clinical articles with discussion handouts for participatory CPDPractical Procedures 'how to' guides and teaching materials for clinical proceduresSelf-assessment clinical articles with linked online assessments for bitesize CPDSystems of Life applied anatomy and physiology to support your practice
Read more from the original source:
Digital nursing 1: exploring the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence - Nursing Times
- Why OpenAI and Anthropic Are the Best Bets in Artificial Intelligence - The Information - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- If I Could Load Up on Any Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock, It Would Be This One (Hint: It's Not Nvidia) - Yahoo Finance - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Current Use and Future Directions of Artificial Intelligence in Hematology/Oncology - CancerNetwork - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- 5 Best Artificial Intelligence Stocks to Buy in July - The Motley Fool - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Artificial intelligence (AI) News, Research and Analysis - The Conversation - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could Hit a $2 Trillion Valuation by 2028 - Yahoo Finance - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could Hit a $2 Trillion Valuation by 2028 - The Motley Fool - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Magnificent Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Will Skyrocket to New Highs in July - The Motley Fool - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- DEALMining uses artificial intelligence technology to mine in the cloud, enabling free cloud mining to earn passive income every day - Muddy River... - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- If I Could Load Up on Any Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock, It Would Be This One (Hint: It's Not Nvidia) - The Motley Fool - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Could Soar in the Second Half of 2025 - Nasdaq - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Army Creating New Artificial Intelligence-Focused Occupational Specialty and Officer Field - Military.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Artificial intelligence could be stealing entry-level jobs in the Netherlands - NL Times - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Marginalized Americans are highly skeptical of artificial intelligence, research finds - Phys.org - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Prediction: 2 Incredible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Will Be Worth More Than Nvidia in 3 Years - Yahoo Finance - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could Outpace Nvidia After the Next Chip Upgrade - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Goodbye to thousands of traditional jobs - Sam Altman, creator of ChatGPT, confirms which jobs will disappear due to artificial intelligence - El... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Prediction: 2 Incredible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Will Be Worth More Than Nvidia in 3 Years - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- University Hospitals studying use of Artificial Intelligence to improve lung cancer outcomes - Cleveland 19 News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Sony and AMD confirm: PS6 will use artificial intelligence, but not in the way you imagine - Diario AS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence News for the Week of June 20; Updates from Campfire, Databricks, Precisely & More - solutionsreview.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How the striking of a GOP regulatory ban will affect the global artificial intelligence race - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Presentation on artificial intelligence planned at Hartford Library - WSJM - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- This Tech Giant Now Claims Artificial Intelligence Is Doing Up to 50% of Its Work - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Second-order impacts of civil artificial intelligence regulation on defense: Why the national security community must engage - Atlantic Council - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Artificial intelligence fuels Big Tech partnerships with nuclear energy producers - FOX 8 TV - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- UPDATE: Artificial intelligence tools help teachers save time, new survey finds - EdSource - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- These Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Have Quietly Outperformed the Market All Year - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- This Stock Is Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), but Is It a Buy Right Now? - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Financial Industry Forum on Artificial Intelligence II: A Collaborative Approach to AI Threats, Opportunities, and Best Practices, Workshop 1 -... - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Has Quietly Outperformed Nvidia All Year - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Tethered caps: KHS optimizes its inspection technology with the help of artificial intelligence - Asia Food Journal - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- These Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Have Quietly Outperformed the Market All Year - Yahoo Finance - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- AI Isnt Just About Nvidia: 2 Rising Stars In The Artificial Intelligence Race - Barchart.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are Transforming the Photonics Industry | EPIC Insights | Jul 2025 - Photonics Spectra - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Love Palantir Technologies? These 3 Artificial Intelligence Stocks Could Have Much More Upside. - The Motley Fool - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence Helps Craft the Worlds Best White Wine - Hungary Today - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Prediction: These 2 Artificial Intelligence Stocks Will Be the World's Most Valuable Companies in 5 Years - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Texas Takes a Shot at AI Regulation With Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act - Ogletree - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Tolstoys Complaint: Mission Command in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Modern War Institute - - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Upcoming Utilization Review Restrictions in Light of Emerging Artificial Intelligence - Holland & Knight - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Broadband Breakfast on July 23, 2025 - The Politics of Artificial Intelligence - Broadband Breakfast - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Trust in data is critical to Artificial Intelligence adoption, says TELUS survey. But is that right? - Diginomica - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Before They Soar to $5 Trillion, According to Select Wall Street Analysts - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Artificial intelligence and innovation in the human-tech nexus - Nature - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2 Historically Cheap Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in July and 1 to Avoid - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Colossal Biosciences merges Artificial Intelligence with showbiz to revive extinct species - Irish Star - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Is Nvidia the Top Artificial Intelligence Stock to Buy in July? - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could Be the Best Bargain in the Market Right Now - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Cobb County 911 adopts artificial intelligence to relieve stress, reduce turnover - 11Alive.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- CHRIS DAUGHTRY: 'I Don't Think You Can Create Human Emotion' With Artificial Intelligence - BLABBERMOUTH.NET - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Mapping the application of artificial intelligence in traditional medicine - World Health Organization (WHO) - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Everyone Is Missing - The Motley Fool - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- International Bar Association study highlights the need for an artificial intelligence-focused legal framework - Canadian Lawyer - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Worth Buying on the Next Dip - Yahoo Finance - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market to Reach USD 196.91 Billion by 2030, Driven by Diagnostics and Imaging Applications - Barchart.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- HII, C3 AI Expand Artificial Intelligence Partnership to Improve Shipbuilding - ExecutiveBiz - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- The pace of development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating by causing tecton.. - - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Is Nvidia the Top Artificial Intelligence Stock to Buy in July? - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Could Be Poised for a Big Second-Half Comeback - The Motley Fool - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Goodbye to thousands of jobs at Amazon - artificial intelligence is already replacing workers in key roles - Unin Rayo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market to Reach USD 12.8 Billion by 2032, Driven by Climate-Smart Practices and Yield Optimization AI Tools |... - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Could Be Poised for a Big Second-Half Comeback - Yahoo Finance - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Artificial intelligence and private equity are threatening to transform consulting - Financial News London - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Worth Buying on the Next Dip - The Motley Fool - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Worth Buying on the Next Dip - Nasdaq - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Are Worth Over $2 Trillion. Here Are the 2 Most Likely to Join the Club Next. - The Motley Fool - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Are Worth Over $2 Trillion. Here Are the 2 Most Likely to Join the Club Next. - Yahoo Finance - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Could Be the Next Nvidia -- and It's Not What You Think - Yahoo Finance - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powerhouse Could Be Just Getting Started - The Motley Fool - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Beyond the buzz: What everyday people really think about artificial intelligence - London Daily News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- If I Could Only Buy 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock, It Would Be This Monster "Magnificent Seven" Member Approved by Billionaires... - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 3 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks That Still Look Like Long-Term Winners - MSN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Argentina integrates artificial intelligence into education - TV BRICS - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Are Worth Over $2 Trillion. Here Are the 2 Most Likely to Join the Club Next. - The Globe and Mail - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- AI and the Creative Revolution: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Way We Tell Stories - Vocal - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Are Worth Over $2 Trillion. Here Are the 2 Most Likely to Join the Club Next. - Barchart.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks (Besides Nvidia) to Buy Hand Over Fist for the Long Term - Yahoo Finance - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Artificial Intelligence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Advancing Precision and Personalised Care - Cureus - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Orange Jordan sponsors Artificial Intelligence and Future Technologies Day at the Hashemite University - ZAWYA - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]