โก Quick Summary
A recent systematic review highlights the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers (KAPB) regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) among nursing and health sciences students. While there is a high awareness of AI, formal training is lacking, indicating a need for comprehensive educational strategies.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Studies Reviewed: 14 peer-reviewed articles
- ๐งฉ Disciplines Covered: Nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and allied health
- โ๏ธ Methodology: Systematic search following PRISMA 2020 guidelines
- ๐ Publication Range: January 2020 to February 2025
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ High Awareness: Students generally show a strong awareness of AI technologies.
- ๐ Limited Training: Formal education on AI is minimal, with knowledge often gained informally.
- ๐ Positive Attitudes: Most students have a favorable view of AI, despite some ethical concerns.
- โ ๏ธ Barriers Identified: Key barriers include lack of AI-focused curricula and faculty expertise.
- ๐ Ethical Concerns: Students express anxiety regarding data privacy and job displacement.
- ๐ Practical Engagement: AI use is primarily limited to academic tasks, with little clinical application.
- ๐ Global Evidence: The review synthesizes findings from various countries, highlighting a universal challenge.
- ๐ Need for Strategies: Comprehensive strategies are essential for effective AI integration in education.
๐ Background
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare is reshaping the landscape of education and practice. As AI technologies evolve, it is crucial for nursing and health sciences students to acquire the necessary competencies to engage with these innovations effectively. However, the current state of preparedness among students remains uncertain, necessitating a closer examination of their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers (KAPB) related to AI.
๐๏ธ Study
This systematic review was conducted to synthesize global evidence on the KAPB regarding AI among students in various health disciplines. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, researchers analyzed 14 studies published between January 2020 and February 2025. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included, providing a comprehensive overview of the current educational landscape concerning AI.
๐ Results
The findings revealed that while students exhibited a high level of awareness about AI, formal training opportunities were scarce. Knowledge was often acquired through informal channels such as social media and peer interactions. Although attitudes towards AI were predominantly positive, students voiced ethical concerns and anxiety about its implications. Practical engagement with AI was largely confined to academic writing, with limited application in clinical settings. Major barriers identified included the absence of AI-focused curricula, insufficient faculty expertise, and concerns over data privacy and job displacement.
๐ Impact and Implications
The implications of this review are significant for the future of health sciences education. As AI continues to advance, it is imperative to address the identified gaps in training and curriculum. By implementing comprehensive strategies such as curriculum integration, faculty development, and ethical training, educational institutions can better prepare future healthcare professionals to adopt AI responsibly and confidently. This proactive approach will not only enhance educational outcomes but also improve patient care in clinical settings.
๐ฎ Conclusion
This systematic review underscores the urgent need for enhanced AI education in nursing and health sciences. While there is a growing interest in AI, substantial gaps remain that must be addressed to ensure that future healthcare professionals are equipped to navigate the complexities of AI in practice. By fostering a more robust educational framework, we can pave the way for responsible and effective AI integration in healthcare.
๐ฌ Your comments
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Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers Regarding the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Health Sciences Education: A Systematic Review.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare education and practice, making it essential for nursing and health sciences students to develop relevant competencies. However, their preparedness to engage meaningfully with AI in academic and clinical environments remains uncertain.
OBJECTIVES: This systematic review synthesizes global evidence on the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers (KAPB) related to AI among students in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and allied health disciplines.
METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2020 and February 2025. Fourteen studies meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included. The review protocol was not registered.
RESULTS: Students generally demonstrated high awareness of AI, but formal training was limited. Knowledge was often acquired informally through social media or peer networks. While attitudes toward AI were largely positive, students expressed ethical concerns and anxiety related to AI use. Practical engagement with AI was mostly restricted to academic writing tasks, with minimal clinical application. Major barriers included the absence of AI-focused curricula, limited faculty expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns over data privacy, ethics, and job displacement.
CONCLUSION: Despite growing interest in AI, significant gaps remain in health sciences education. Comprehensive strategies such as curriculum integration, faculty development, and ethical training are urgently needed to foster responsible, confident, and clinically relevant AI adoption among future healthcare professionals.
Author: [‘Alqaissi N’, ‘Qtait M’]
Journal: SAGE Open Nurs
Citation: Alqaissi N and Qtait M. Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers Regarding the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Health Sciences Education: A Systematic Review. Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Barriers Regarding the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Health Sciences Education: A Systematic Review. 2025; 11:23779608251374185. doi: 10.1177/23779608251374185