Introduction: Triage is a fundamental stage in the clinical pathway in emergency departments, representing a dynamic decision-making process that falls within the remit of nursing. In recent years, technological advances have facilitated the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare, where it has emerged as a useful tool for supporting clinical decisions and optimizing processes. However, the use of AI in triage is still limited, and the scientific literature highlights a significant lack of data on the perceptions of nurses, who play a central role in the adoption of innovative technologies. Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate nurses' perceptions of the possible adoption of AI in the triage process, assessing expected benefits, perceived difficulties, conditions necessary for acceptance, and behavioral intentions related to its use. Materials and Methods: The research took an observational, cross-sectional, and monocentric approach, carried out in two hospitals belonging to the Local Health Authority (AST) 5 of the Marche Region. Data collection was carried out through the administration of a structured and validated questionnaire based on the UTAUT model (Venkatesh et al, 2003). The questionnaire allowed for a multidimensional analysis of nurses' perceptions of factors influencing technology acceptance. Results: The results collected show that nurses have an overall positive perception of AI in triage. The majority recognize the potential of the technology to improve work efficiency, shorten decision-making times, and support the quality of clinical assessment. AI is perceived as relatively easy to use, but uncertainties and fears remain regarding the risk of errors and the need to ensure an adequate level of training and technical support. The role of organizational conditions is particularly important: nurses identify institutional support, the availability of resources, and the presence of structured training courses as fundamental prerequisites for promoting acceptance. Discussion: The analysis illustrates how nursing staff, despite their anxieties and uncertainties, show significant openness towards the use of AI in triage. The combination of positive perceptions regarding usefulness, confidence in their own skills, and organizational support proves to be decisive in promoting acceptance of the technology. The results obtained are part of a global context that recognizes the importance of healthcare professionals in the introduction of innovations and contribute to filling the gap in the national literature. From a practical point of view, this research offers useful suggestions for healthcare managers and training managers, emphasizing the need to plan specific educational paths, ensure constant technical support, and promote an organizational environment conducive to innovation. Conclusions: The analysis provides relevant information on the professional and organizational dynamics that influence the acceptance of AI in the healthcare sector. The willingness of nurses to adopt this technology is a positive sign, paving the way for future field trials. Looking ahead, it will be essential to expand the study to a multicenter level, involving larger samples and different contexts, as well as monitoring the real impact of Artificial Intelligence on nurses' work, patient safety, and the efficiency of care processes. Keywords: “triage,” “nurses,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “UTAUT,” “technology acceptance,” “perceptions.”
Introduzione: Il triage rappresenta una fase fondamentale del percorso clinico in pronto soccorso, configurandosi come un processo decisionale dinamico di competenza infermieristica. Negli ultimi anni, l’evoluzione tecnologica ha favorito l’integrazione dell’Intelligenza Artificiale (IA) anche in ambito sanitario, dove emerge come strumento utile a supportare decisioni cliniche e ottimizzare i processi. Tuttavia, l’impiego dell’IA nel triage è ancora limitato e la letteratura scientifica evidenzia una significativa carenza di dati sulle percezioni degli infermieri, figure centrali per l'adozione di tecnologie innovative. Obiettivo: L’obiettivo di questa ricerca è quello di indagare la percezione degli infermieri sull’eventuale adozione dell’IA nel processo di triage, valutando benefici attesi, difficoltà percepite, condizioni necessarie per l’accettazione, e intenzioni comportamentali legate al suo uso. Materiali e Metodi: La ricerca ha avuto un approccio osservazionale, trasversale e monocentrico, realizzata in due ospedali appartenenti all’Azienda Sanitaria Territoriale (AST) 5 della Regione Marche. La raccolta dati è avvenuta attraverso la somministrazione di un questionario strutturato e validato, basato sul modello UTAUT (Venkatesh et al, 2003). Il questionario ha permesso un’analisi multidimensionale delle percezioni degli infermieri su fattori che influenzano l'accettazione tecnologica.. Risultati: I risultati raccolti evidenziano una percezione complessivamente positiva degli infermieri verso l’IA nel triage. La maggioranza riconosce il potenziale della tecnologia nel migliorare l’efficienza lavorativa, accorciare i tempi decisionali e sostenere la qualità della valutazione clinica. L’IA è percepita come relativamente semplice da utilizzare, tuttavia permangono incertezze e timori legati al rischio di errori e alla necessità di assicurare un adeguato livello di formazione e supporto tecnico. Particolare rilievo assume il ruolo delle condizioni organizzative: gli infermieri identificano il sostegno istituzionale, la disponibilità di risorse e la presenza di percorsi formativi strutturati come prerequisiti fondamentali per favorire l’accettazione. Discussione: L’analisi illustra come il personale infermieristico, pur in presenza di ansie e incertezze, mostri un’apertura significativa verso l’utilizzo dell’IA in ambito triage. L’insieme di percezioni positive riguardo l’utilità, la fiducia nelle proprie competenze e il sostegno organizzativo si rivela determinante nel favorire l’accettazione della tecnologia. I risultati ottenuti si inseriscono in un contesto globale che riconosce l’importanza degli operatori sanitari nell’introduzioni di innovazioni e contribuiscono a colmare la lacuna esistente nella letteratura nazionale. Sotto un profilo pratico, questa ricerca offre suggerimenti utili per dirigenti sanitari e i responsabili della formazione, sottolineando la necessità di programmare percorsi educativi specifici, garantire supporto tecnico costante e promuovere un ambiente organizzativo predisposto all’innovazione. Conclusioni: L’analisi fornisce informazioni rilevanti sulle dinamiche professionali e organizzative che condizionano l’accettazione dell’IA nel settore sanitario. La disponibilità degli infermieri ad adottare tale tecnologia rappresenta un segnale positivo, che apre la strada a future sperimentazioni sul campo. Sarà fondamentale, in prospettiva, ampliare lo studio a livello multicentrico, coinvolgendo campioni più ampi e in contesti differenziati, oltre a monitorare l’impatto reale dell’Intelligenza Artificiale sul lavoro degli infermieri, sulla sicurezza dei pazienti e sull’efficienza dei processi assistenziali. Parole chiave: “triage”, “infermieri”, “Intelligenza Artificiale”, “UTAUT”, “accettazione tecnologica”, “percezioni”.
“L'Intelligenza Artificiale nel Triage Infermieristico: Qualità ed Efficienza. Uno Studio Trasversale.”
SPACCASASSI, REBECCA
2024/2025
Abstract
Introduction: Triage is a fundamental stage in the clinical pathway in emergency departments, representing a dynamic decision-making process that falls within the remit of nursing. In recent years, technological advances have facilitated the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare, where it has emerged as a useful tool for supporting clinical decisions and optimizing processes. However, the use of AI in triage is still limited, and the scientific literature highlights a significant lack of data on the perceptions of nurses, who play a central role in the adoption of innovative technologies. Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate nurses' perceptions of the possible adoption of AI in the triage process, assessing expected benefits, perceived difficulties, conditions necessary for acceptance, and behavioral intentions related to its use. Materials and Methods: The research took an observational, cross-sectional, and monocentric approach, carried out in two hospitals belonging to the Local Health Authority (AST) 5 of the Marche Region. Data collection was carried out through the administration of a structured and validated questionnaire based on the UTAUT model (Venkatesh et al, 2003). The questionnaire allowed for a multidimensional analysis of nurses' perceptions of factors influencing technology acceptance. Results: The results collected show that nurses have an overall positive perception of AI in triage. The majority recognize the potential of the technology to improve work efficiency, shorten decision-making times, and support the quality of clinical assessment. AI is perceived as relatively easy to use, but uncertainties and fears remain regarding the risk of errors and the need to ensure an adequate level of training and technical support. The role of organizational conditions is particularly important: nurses identify institutional support, the availability of resources, and the presence of structured training courses as fundamental prerequisites for promoting acceptance. Discussion: The analysis illustrates how nursing staff, despite their anxieties and uncertainties, show significant openness towards the use of AI in triage. The combination of positive perceptions regarding usefulness, confidence in their own skills, and organizational support proves to be decisive in promoting acceptance of the technology. The results obtained are part of a global context that recognizes the importance of healthcare professionals in the introduction of innovations and contribute to filling the gap in the national literature. From a practical point of view, this research offers useful suggestions for healthcare managers and training managers, emphasizing the need to plan specific educational paths, ensure constant technical support, and promote an organizational environment conducive to innovation. Conclusions: The analysis provides relevant information on the professional and organizational dynamics that influence the acceptance of AI in the healthcare sector. The willingness of nurses to adopt this technology is a positive sign, paving the way for future field trials. Looking ahead, it will be essential to expand the study to a multicenter level, involving larger samples and different contexts, as well as monitoring the real impact of Artificial Intelligence on nurses' work, patient safety, and the efficiency of care processes. Keywords: “triage,” “nurses,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “UTAUT,” “technology acceptance,” “perceptions.”| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/24214