Australian nurses may soon be using artificial intelligence in healthcare settings

Key points:

• Seventy-three percent of people are concerned about risks associated with AI, according to a global study
• The Australian College of Nursing released a statement about how artificial intelligence in Australian healthcare settings could improve care 
• Manufacturers of emotion-reading robots with sensors and cameras said they could help people living with dementia

The Australian College of Nursing has released a statement regarding the use of artificial intelligence in Australian healthcare settings. 

However, researchers of a recent global study indicated that 73 percent of people were concerned about the risks associated with AI.

The statement outlines the possible benefits of Australian nurses using AI, including;

• an increased level of direct care for patients;
• improved communication between healthcare professionals and faculties; and
• predictions to interpret care needs of patients.

The full position statement is available on the Australian College of Nursing website.

Despite the possible benefits of AI, Chief Executive Officer at the Australian College of Nursing Emeritus Professor Boyd explained that caution would be taken to ensure the safety of patients if AI is used by nurses.

“While AI has many potential benefits in healthcare, appropriate regulations and safeguards must be embedded to not compromise patient safety, nursing care delivery or the profession more broadly,” she said.

In a global study, researchers found that 61 percent of people don’t believe that ‘current governance and regulations are enough to protect people and make AI use safe.’

Emeritus Professor Boyd commented on how using artificial intelligence can benefit healthcare in Australia.

“ACN recognises the benefits AI represents and the potential to improve health outcomes for individual patients, their communities and Australia as a whole,” she said. 

“AI has the potential to significantly reduce the often-repetitive tasks that nurses perform, as well as assist in solving both our current and future workforce challenges.”

Around 370,000 aged care workers in Australia are currently employed in direct and indirect roles. However, current estimates suggest that 212,000 full-time worker roles in the aged care industry will be vacant by 2050.

More than 849,300 Australians are expected to have dementia by 2058, with approximately 411,100 Australians already living with dementia.

Australians with dementia can have varying needs based on numerous factors such as their level of disability and co-existing health conditions. Nurses and carers may provide support for daily life including personal care, companionship through conversation and basic medical care. 

Residents in aged care homes receive an average of 200 minutes of direct care each day, however, older Australians with high needs — such as those with late-stage dementia — may not get enough direct care.

If AI is implemented in Australian healthcare settings, such as aged care homes, nurses could use AI to manage general administrative tasks, allowing nurses to use their knowledge in more urgent matters such as direct care.

AI is not the only form of technology expected to enter healthcare settings in the future, with manufacturers now creating robots that can sense human emotion.

Clinical Director of Pacific Rehab Group in Singapore Ms Prudence Chan discussed the value of incorporating technology such as robots to help older people with dementia.

“There is emerging evidence that social robots are capable of genuinely improving [the] quality of life for people in long-term care,” she said. 

“A person who is experiencing behaviour and psychological symptoms — like demanding to go home — can be engaged by these robots.” 

Two of the prototypes include a robotic baby seal that can calm and comfort a person in distress and a tabletop robot that can converse with people who have dementia.

Robots are being made in various sizes, with some being small enough to carry.  [Source: supplied]

One manufacturer of a human-looking robot stated that it could provide therapy including counselling in the future as developments continue.

Privacy concerns have also been highlighted regarding using robots in clinical settings. In the future, robots may have sensors and cameras to detect human emotion, which may inadvertently collect personal data and recordings of people’s faces.

Ninety-one percent of older Australians believe that ‘privacy should mean their information is not shared without their consent.’ 

Additionally, researchers identified that older people with no experience with smart technology were most concerned about privacy with ‘personal data being accessed without permission or awareness.’

However, some forms of recording devices can ensure the safety of vulnerable older Australians such as CCTV cameras. 

Family members felt that cameras in public areas were beneficial to prevent falls, abuse and to uphold the safety of residents and staff, with those who supported room monitoring applying the same reasoning to justify their opinion.

Read more about the effects of installing CCTV cameras in aged care homes in this article: How staff and families differ on CCTV in aged care facilities.

What are your thoughts on using robots and AI to care for older Australians in aged care homes?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

For more information and news in the aged care industry, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

Relevant content:

One in three older Australians are given opioid drugs — why?

Government response sparks concern for advocates of older Australians

A new government strategy could impact how your personal information is shared