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The aim of this study is to assess nurse practitioner students' perceptions and engagement with Isabel's artificial intelligence (AI) based differential diagnosis tool to support their decision-making skills during their theoretical and clinical placement training.
This pilot study used a cross-sectional design.
Twenty-six nurse practitioner students provided feedback on their use of an AI differential diagnosis tool in both academic and clinical contexts. This survey used the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire to assess the engagement levels and usability of the AI tool. Additional questions were included to evaluate the usage patterns, adequacy in training and confidence in diagnosis.
There were mixed engagement levels: 44.4% (n = 8/18) used Isabel in two subjects—typically one or both clinical placement units—and 27.8% (n = 5/18) in one subject; students most often used the tool to confirm differential diagnoses. Usability was rated positively with the disease ranking, red flag diagnosis and link to national guideline features demonstrating the highest student usage. While most students found the tool beneficial to use during clinical placement and completing university assignments, some reported challenges due to insufficient training, impacting confidence in clinical application.
Isabel has potential as a valuable educational tool in Nurse Practitioner programs, but successful implementation depends on adequate training and support. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive training and support to maximise AI tool utilisation, with direct implications for programme curricula, clinical education strategies and potential improvements in diagnostic reasoning skills for future nurse practitioners.
This study provides an example of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) guided clinical decision-making training in nurse practitioner (NP) education. The findings can be used by educational institutions to trial similar AI-integrated learning approaches, enhancing diagnostic competence and potentially improving patient care outcomes.
The Study adhered to the STROBE checklist for reporting.
No patient or public contribution was made to this study.
In Australia, aligned to safety and quality standards, the health system implements standardised practices that include patient involvement in nursing bedside handover. Despite this mandate, it remains unclear whether patients are genuinely participating in nursing bedside handovers and whether their perspectives are being considered.
To explore patient perceptions of their involvement in nursing bedside handovers.
A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in two acute metropolitan hospitals in Western Australia from July 2021 to March 2022. The survey administered to patients, comprised three sections: demographic information; involvement in bedside handover; and perceptions of bedside handovers; utilising close-ended and Likert scale questions. Open-ended questions further explored participation in bedside handovers. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed and responses to open-ended questions underwent summative deductive content analysis.
Of the 390 participants, over half reported five or more bedside handovers (n = 197, 50.7%). Most perceived the importance of (n = 334, 79.0%), and expressed their satisfaction with (n = 327, 89.6%), involvement in bedside handover. Perceptions of handover were mostly positive. There were a few significant differences throughout based on type of hospital, gender and age-group. Open ended responses shared perceptions on the perceived benefits, challenges and barriers and ways to enhance involvement in bedside handover. Patients expressed several challenges, including lack of awareness of their right to participate, the approach of nurses and the timing of handovers as hindering their participation in bedside handovers.
Patients perceived the importance of, were mostly satisfied with, and had positive perceptions of bedside handover. However, several challenges hindered effective patient participation. Further research is needed into bedside handover as it is essential to enhance patient-centred quality care that aligns with national safety and quality healthcare standards.
Understanding the significance of patient involvement in bedside handovers motivates patients to actively share information about their care, leading to increased patient satisfaction and the promotion of patient-centred care. Addressing challenges through targeted strategies can enhance patient participation, communication, increased patient satisfaction and foster a more patient-centred approach to care.
The conduct of this study was supported by the consumer advisory group in the participating hospitals who also reviewed the survey questionnaires and conducted face validity of the survey.
FreshRSS 