Transforming Nursing Education with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming most aspects of modern life, including healthcare. AI has the potential to transform health provider education as well. Cristina Lussiana, a senior program manager of digital health and monitoring at Population Services International (PSI), is an expert in the health applications of AI. In this interview with Daily Nurse, Lussiana discusses the potential of AI in transforming nursing education.
AI Integration in Healthcare
The technological advancements in digital health have led to larger medical-related datasets. At the same time, there is an increased awareness of AI’s potential to sustain and accelerate positive health outcomes. AI algorithms can quickly provide insights to help prevent, diagnose, and treat – leading to better health outcomes.
AI algorithms can support health practitioners in developing tailored screening and treatment plans. For example, in Kenya, PSI partnered with Audere on a research project to assess HealthPulse AI, a suite of AI-powered tools for clinicians, Community Health Workers (CHWs), and health consumers. HealthPulse AI uses machine learning and computer vision to improve the accuracy of rapid diagnostic test kit results. Through personalized medicine based on an individual’s medical history and lifestyle, AI can support health practitioners to develop tailored screening and treatment plans. Additionally, by analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns, AI algorithms can support governments and public health implementers in predicting outbreaks, playing an important function in health security.
ChatGPT in Nursing Education
ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in nursing education. It offers students a variety of case scenarios and medical questions for research and practice. Students can stay current on the latest guidelines and best practices in medicine and have access to nursing education materials for free, even from low-resource areas.
However, ChatGPT does not replace in-person training. Students won’t have the in-person experience to treat patients, including emotional intelligence development and hands-on clinical care. There are also some potential misuses of ChatGPT that students need to be aware of, including AI-related bias and lack of domain-specific knowledge.
The Role of Higher Education in an AI World
Assuming that in the next ten years, knowledge will be increasingly accessible through AI technology for free, the role of higher education might evolve to concentrate on skills and competencies that cannot be learned via AI, like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, contextualization, and prioritization. Furthermore, highly specialized education in medical fields requires education that is not AI-based.
Training for Geriatric Nursing Professionals
As the world population gets older, nursing needs highly qualified professionals who can confidently and competently manage geriatric patients. This entails offering students a comprehensive package of educational knowledge and skills that prepare them to care for an aging population in different aspects. Specific education topics include geriatric diseases, management of chronic diseases, mental health, palliative care, emotional intelligence, and ethics.
The Digital Divide in Healthcare
Digital health and technology, in general, have the potential to improve healthcare even in low-resource settings. However, technological advancements can widen the digital divide across socio-demographic groups because not all groups have equal access to technology. There is the risk that technological advancements benefit only some of us, leaving behind people with specific socio-demographic characteristics.
It is important to design technology in a way that takes equity and inclusion into consideration and that is freely available and accessible to all population segments. This includes zero-rate or low-cost internet access, digital training, language-inclusive content, inclusion of technology elements for people with disabilities, and so on.
Conclusion
AI has the potential to transform nursing education and healthcare globally. However, it is essential to address the potential misuses of AI and the digital divide in healthcare. The role of higher education might evolve to concentrate on skills and competencies that cannot be learned via AI. Highly specialized education in medical fields requires education that is not AI-based. By designing technology in a way that takes equity and inclusion into consideration, we can ensure that technology benefits all population segments, leaving no one behind.