JMIR Nursing

Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly used in nursing education, yet their conceptual foundations remain abstract and underexplored. This concept analysis addresses the need for clarity by examining the relevance, meaning, contextual applications, and defining attributes of LLMs in nursing education, using Rodgers’ evolutionary method.

Although mobile health applications integrated with Internet of Things-enabled devices are increasingly used to satisfy the growing needs for home-based elderly care resulting from rapid population aging, their effectiveness is constrained by three key challenges: a focus on specific functions rather than holistic and integrated support, absence of a solid theoretical framework for development, and a lack of personalized, real-time feedback to address diverse care needs. To overcome these limitations, we developed a knowledge-based Clinical Decision Support System using mobile health technology – an Intelligent and Integrated Elderly Care Model (SMART system).

Global healthcare systems are under increasing strain due to aging populations, workforce shortages, and rising patient complexity. In response, automation technologies are being explored as a means to optimize nursing workflows, reduce burdens, and improve patient outcomes. However, the integration of such technologies raises complex ethical, legal, and professional considerations that remain insufficiently addressed in current literature.

Important levels of pain are reported upon discharge from major surgery with a risk of becoming chronic. Further, individuals express the need for support in managing pain after discharge. However, very few studies address pain management interventions in the post-discharge phase after surgery including for individuals undergoing total joint arthroplasty. We have conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial testing a brief mindfulness intervention targeting people at risk for chronic post-surgical pain 2 weeks after surgery. Although the intervention we proposed was judged as acceptable based on ratings obtained through a questionnaire, the nuanced perceptions of why and how it is considered acceptable are critical in refining the intervention. Moreover, the acceptability of mindfulness interventions in the perioperative context remains generally unknown and even more in the post-discharge setting.

The growing demand for elderly care due to aging populations and healthcare workforce shortages requires innovative solutions. Socially assistive robots (SARs) are increasingly explored for their potential to reduce workload by handling routine tasks. Yet, adoption can be hindered by various healthcare workers’ concerns.

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across various sectors, including healthcare, necessitate the need for a comprehensive understanding of their applications. Specifically, the acceptance and readiness of nursing students’ as future healthcare professionals to adopt AI-based healthcare technologies, along with the factors influencing these attitudes, are critical for facilitating the effective integration of AI in healthcare settings.

Best practice guidelines recommend educating surgical patients about non-pharmacological pain care (NPPC) techniques that can be used in addition to pain medication for peri-operative pain management, given the risks for opioid misuse following surgery. As part of the parent Non-pharmacologic Options in post-operative Hospital-based and Rehabilitation pain Management (NOHARM) clinical trial, we implemented the Healing After Surgery initiative, which leveraged the Epic electronic health record (EHR) to provide patients with education on NPPC techniques peri-operatively. We disseminated educational materials directly to patients via the EHR patient portal and prompted patients to select the techniques they were most interested in using, which auto populated the EHR so that their care team could view their preferences. We also built clinical decision support (CDS) elements in the EHR to prompt and support inpatient nurses in providing patients with education and reinforcement for using their preferred NPPC techniques. Print materials, a website, a DVD, videos on hospital televisions, a toll-free number, and Zoom-based group calls provided additional education on NPPC techniques.

The current Information and Communication Technologies, digital literacy, and ease of access to communication and information devices by nurses provide them with new ways and intention to access information for technical-scientific updating, ensuring the quality and safety of health care. M-learning offers a flexible and accessible alternative for continuing professional education, overcoming barriers such as time constraints and financial burden.

Technological innovations make significant impacts on nursing education. New teaching strategies are constantly emerging, offering students a dynamic and interactive educational experience. The Question-Embedded Movie Clips Learning program used in the current study was developed based on the drill and practice learning principle, aiming to facilitate nursing student’s skills and build their confidence before entering real clinical settings.

Burnout among healthcare workers affects their well-being and decision making, influencing patient and public health outcomes. Healthcare workers’ health beliefs and COVID-19 vaccine decisions may affect risks of burnout. Therefore, understanding the interplay between these crucial factors is essential for identifying at-risk staff, providing targeted support, and addressing workplace challenges to prevent further escalation of burnout related issues.

Professionals across caring disciplines have played a significant role in the development of virtual care, which utilizes remote technologies to offer support and services from a distance. As virtual care becomes increasingly essential, instructors must ensure students are equipped with both interpersonal abilities and digital competencies, merging traditional hands-on methods with online learning. Despite its growing importance, there are a lack of comprehensive frameworks to guide the design and delivery of online learning experiences that foster the development of virtual caring skills and competencies among students in caring professions.

Gamification has emerged as an innovative pedagogical strategy in the educational field, transferring game tools to the teaching-learning process to improve students' motivation and engagement.