Understanding Nurses' Intention to Use Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Their Clinical Practice: A Survey‐Based Configurational Analysis

ABSTRACT

Aims

The study focused on nurses' familiarity with, beliefs about, and attitudes towards artificial intelligence, aiming to identify configurations of necessary and sufficient conditions associated with strong intentions to use artificial intelligence-based health technologies in their clinical practice.

Design

Cross-sectional survey conducted online from mid-October 2023 through early February 2024.

Methods

The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method was employed to analyse the survey data.

Data Source

307 members of the professional order of nurses in Québec province, Canada.

Results

Findings from the qualitative comparative analysis show that strong intentions to use artificial intelligence are only observed when nurses perceive artificial intelligence to have a high impactfulness on their future clinical practice (necessary condition). Moreover, we observe three configurations of sufficient conditions, that is, three combinations (artificial intelligence profiles) of familiarity with, belief about, trust in, and perceived impactfulness of artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

Current curriculum efforts have centred on defining artificial intelligence competencies, yet competency alone does not guarantee a willingness to adopt artificial intelligence tools. Our findings indicate that a positive attitude towards artificial intelligence's potential impact is crucial, with various profiles supporting intentions to adopt artificial intelligence.

Implications for the Profession

These findings suggest that nurses' preparation should go beyond developing artificial intelligence competencies and that nursing educators and trainers need to account for the different profiles associated with strong intentions to use artificial intelligence technologies. Training programmes and nursing curricula should prioritise shaping nurses' beliefs and attitudes about artificial intelligence rather than focusing solely on technical skills.

Impact

We contribute to nursing research by showing that a positive attitude towards artificial intelligence's impactfulness on nurses' future clinical practice is a necessary condition for having high intentions to use artificial intelligence technologies.

Reporting Method

Relevant guidelines have been adhered to by employing recommended qualitative comparative analysis reporting methods.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.