Artificial intelligence and robot nurses: From nurse managers' perspective: A descriptive cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aim This research was planned to identify nurse managers' opinions on artificial intelligence and robot nurses. Background As the concepts of artificial intelligence and robot nurses are becoming widespread in Turkey, nurse managers are expected to guide and cooperate with nurses in the future in regard to these technologies. Methods The sample of the study consisted of 326 manager nurses, who were reached via the online questionnaire during the period of September to November 2021. A Nurse Managers Information Form and a Question Form on Artificial Intelligence and Robot Nurses were used to collect data. Data in this cross‐sectional descriptive study were collected between September 2021 and November 2021 by the online survey method. The descriptive statistics of the data were analysed with numbers and percentages. The difference between the knowledge of artificial intelligence and robot nurses and demographic characteristics was analysed with the chi‐square test. Results According to the findings, 66.9% of the nurse managers reported having heard the concepts of artificial intelligence and robot nurses previously. 67.2% stated that they thought that robot nurses would benefit the nursing profession, but 86.2% voiced disbelief that robots would replace nurses. Conclusions The majority of the participating nurse managers reported that artificial intelligence and robot nurses would not replace nurses but would be beneficial for nurses and would reduce their workload. Implications for Nursing Management It should be ensured that the nurse managers plan the areas in the hospital where artificial intelligence and robot nurses will be used and determine the possible risks. Awareness should be increased with in‐service trainings, and patient safety and ethical problems regarding the use of artificial intelligence and robot nurses should be identified.

Can artificial intelligence and robotic nurses replace operating room nurses? The quasi-experimental research

“…In this study, more than half of the participating operating room nurses stated that robots would reduce their workload. Consistent with the results of this study, in Ergin et al’s [ 22 ] study involving nurse managers more than half of them thought that robotic nurses would benefit the nursing profession. In Alcan et al’s [ 18 ] study conducted to determine the views of nurses on robotic surgery, 68.9% of the 286 nurses stated that they would prefer robotic surgery if they were to undergo surgery in the future.…”

“…In this study, the majority of the participating nurses ( n = 25) stated that they did not think that robots would replace nurses. In the literature, there is a consensus among authors that artificial intelligence robots will not directly replace nurses in the near future [ 22 , 28 – 32 ]. However, contrary to this study results, in their study, Abdullah and Fakieh [ 23 ] investigated the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare professionals toward the application of artificial intelligence technologies in healthcare institutions in Saudi Arabia, and they reported that most of the participants were worried that artificial intelligence would replace them.…”

“…The form developed by the researchers in line with the literature [ 5 , 11 , 21 , 22 ] includes nine items. While five of the items question the participants’ demographic and job-related characteristics such as sex, age, length of service in the profession, length of service in the operating room and job satisfaction, four items question their views of artificial intelligence.…”

Artificial intelligence and rehabilitation: what’s new and promising

“…47 In addition, the training of personnel such as surgical nurses as regards AI and the role of this including robotic nurses and how to program these-if indicated-remains an area of concern. 48 At present, more robust clinical data across many spheres of health, including later life, that can yield large reliable data sets that cover the most universal features of rehabilitation need are clearly required to successfully advance the health opportunities for aging populations at high risk for so many diverse chronic health situations and experiences in a meaningful and safe manner. Their application must also prove to minimize costs, have no adverse climate change impact, be practical, and be mindful of past and pervasive health disparities, equity issues, and complex cultural and genetic influences.…”

The future of nursing: attrition, innovation, and the path ahead

“…Looking ahead, nurses will continue to be an integral and irreplaceable component of any health care model, despite possible shifts in the professional landscape. Research has been conducted to address the question, “Can AI replace nurses?” The consensus is that robots are not seen as substitutes for nurses 11 ; instead, AI-driven health technologies are recognised for their potential to enhance nursing practice. This is exactly what the profession and discipline of nursing needs to enable our nurses to envision a future and foster socially sustainable and healthy economies.…”