Nurse Readiness to Use Artificial Intelligence in Patient Care:
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ali Alyasin 2,Bushra Al hnaidi 2, Omar G. Baker 1, Nasima Awaji 2, Norah Garallah Alkaledi 2, Sarah Abdulaziz AlAbdalhai 2, Yasir Ashour 2, Abdulrahman Alayed 2

(1) Professor, Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
(2) PhD Candidate, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding author:
Ali Alyasin,
College of Nursing, King Saud University,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Phone: + 966565550960
Email: 444105499@student.ksu.edu.sa

Received: May 2024; Accepted: June 2024; Published: July 2024
Citation: Alyasin A et al. Nurse Readiness to Use Artificial Intelligence in Patient Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Middle East Journal of Nursing 2024; 18(2): 29-44. DOI: 10.5742/MEJN2024.9378053

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ABSTRACT

Aim: This meta-analysis explores the readiness of registered nurses to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in patient care.

Background: AI will revolutionize the healthcare industry by enabling the provision of personalized, accurate, and innovative care to patients. AI will be an increasingly mandatory tool in the industry as it continues to be adopted for various purposes. Despite its importance, however, research on nurses’ readiness to adopt this technology is scarce. This study examines nurses’ readiness to utilize AI in patient care settings.

Materials and methods: Eligible studies were identified by conducting a systematic review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Only quantitative peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2024 were included in the study. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program were used for quality assessment.

Results: Five studies were included in the meta-analysis, reporting the responses of 1,229 nurses and other healthcare professionals. The main outcomes for evaluating the readiness of nurses to use AI were perception and attitude. A statistically significant mean difference was found to separate positive perception from negative perception, which had a lower score. A nonsignificant mean difference was found to separate positive attitude from negative attitude, which had a lower score (mean difference [MD]: 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41–1.42, P: .0004; MD: 0.60, 95% CI: -0.19–1.38, P: .14).

Conclusion: The nurses’ perceptions of and attitudes towards applying AI in nursing practice were highly positive. A positive perception of and attitude toward technology adaptation are vital to improving patient care. The findings from this study and similar research will be critical in determining future healthcare policies and initiatives based on best practices. However, there is a need to implement more AI training and education programs to ensure that practicing nurses and nursing students can gain the skills necessary to successfully leverage AI in healthcare.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, patient care, meta-analysis, nurses