5 ways AI could influence nursing in the coming years
Artificial intelligence includes a wide range of technologies impacting almost every industry. Some AI tools might replace certain job roles, while others boost efficiency and accuracy. Research by a leading consultancy indicates that AI's incorporation in some sectors could help address labor shortages and increase labor productivity in the U.S. by 0.5 to 0.9 percentage points each year until 2030.
The healthcare sector is rapidly adopting AI to modify work-related activities. Health tech AI companies have attracted more investment and equity dealings than nearly all sectors apart from autonomous vehicles and transportation, according to a global policy group. By mid-2023, healthcare AI firms had raised over $2.6 billion across 192 deals since January.
AI technologies like machine learning and natural language processing have notably improved productivity and patient care quality, as per a national hospital association. Financial benefits are also emerging, with a report suggesting AI could cut U.S. healthcare costs by $150 billion by 2026. As technology progresses, the roles of healthcare professionals are changing. Here's five ways AI is set to transform nursing careers shortly as technology becomes more widespread.
Automated systems will reduce administrative burdens. A study found that nurses spend about a quarter of their week on documentation and administrative tasks. Robotic process automation, which performs tasks without user input, might soon free nurses from many administrative duties. This technology is already automating tasks like prior authorizations for medication refills.
Patient adherence tasks will change with industry advancements. Various factors lead to many patients not following treatment plans from their providers. The World Health Organization estimates that nonadherence to medication schedules causes up to 125,000 preventable deaths yearly. AI is being used to develop tools that improve patient adherence. For example, chatbots that understand text can automate reminders, manage appointments, and simplify other crucial tasks.
Machine learning might guide diagnoses and treatments. These algorithms analyze large datasets to find patterns that predict outcomes, valuable in precision medicine—a new healthcare approach matching treatments to patient data for the best results. Though still developing, this technology helps select medications and dosages and offers diet and exercise advice. These insights could change nurses' tasks and enhance patient outcomes.
Neural networks might predict treatment results or assess hospital readmission risks. These complex machine learning models handle large data volumes and have categorized cancer images, diagnosed heart attacks, and predicted hospital stays. They can help nurses respond better to emergencies and improve staff scheduling based on demand.
Robots might handle minor surgeries. With AI, including machine learning, medical robots are increasingly capable of performing surgeries and anticipating procedural developments. Fully autonomous robotic surgery is becoming a reality, even for minimally invasive operations like prostate, gynecologic, head-and-neck, and cardiothoracic surgeries. Recently, a robot autonomously reconnected an intestine, an extremely complex task. Nurses in surgical settings or recovery care may see their roles evolve or notice smoother patient recoveries due to these technological advancements.
