Nurse Practitioner Students' Perceptions of an Artificial Intelligence Differential Diagnosis Tool: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Decision Support

Background:

• Nurse practitioner (NP) programs increasingly integrate technology for skill development.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) tools offer potential to enhance diagnostic reasoning.
• Assessing student engagement with AI in educational settings is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nurse practitioner students' perceptions of an AI-based differential diagnosis tool (Isabel).
• To assess student engagement and usability of the AI tool in academic and clinical training.
• To understand how AI tools impact decision-making skills during NP education.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study with a cross-sectional design.
• Twenty-six NP students provided feedback via surveys.
• The Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire assessed engagement and usability.

Main Results:

• Mixed engagement observed; students primarily used the AI tool to confirm differential diagnoses.
• High usability ratings for features like disease ranking and red flag alerts.
• Challenges reported due to insufficient training, affecting confidence in clinical use.

Conclusions:

• Isabel AI tool shows potential for NP education but requires adequate training and support.
• Effective implementation necessitates tailored curricula and clinical education strategies.
• Improved diagnostic reasoning skills can be fostered through optimized AI tool integration.