The Exploration of Psychiatric Nurses' Perspectives on the Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Care: 'Patients Prefer Seeing a Human Over AI'

BackgroundAs artificial intelligence (AI) technologies rapidly evolve, psychiatric nurses need to be prepared for using and developing this technology in care delivery.AimThe purpose of this research is to explore psychiatric nurses' perspectives regarding AI applications in supporting both direct and indirect care processes.MethodsA descriptive qualitative method was used in this study. The study sample consisted of 28 psychiatric nurses who agreed to participate in the research between April and October 2024, who had completed or were currently pursuing their master's or doctoral education. Data were collected through individual face-to-face/online meetings (via Google Meets application) with psychiatric nurses. Audio recordings were taken during the interviews. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was performed.ResultsIn this study, psychiatric nurses' perspectives regarding AI applications in care support were categorised under five themes: (1) Limitations of artificial intelligence in meeting patient needs, (2) Enhancing psychiatric nursing care support, (3) Future Perspectives on enhancing psychosocial care, (4) The challenging path of integration into education and care, (5) Uncertainty, unknowns, risks and concerns.ConclusionThis study reveals psychiatric nurses' insights regarding the potential of AI, particularly in terms of developing psychosocial care, and their predictions about challenges that may be encountered in this process. Taking a pioneering role in integrating AI into care processes, psychiatric nurses may open the doors to a new era while contributing to the development of the profession.