FAQ

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to “the use of computers and technology to simulate intelligent behaviour and critical thinking comparable to a human being” (Farhud & Zokaei, 2021). In the simplest terms, it is “intelligence demonstrated by machines” (Meskó & Görög, 2020).

AI can analyze vast amounts of patient data such as symptoms, medical history and vitals taken in real-time to provide dynamic yet accurate triage decision support. While other decision support tools might support decision-making based on fixed information and pre-defined rules, AI learns continuously, adapts to new information, and detects patterns that may not be immediately apparent in an environment as fast-paced as the ED.

Who can participate in this survey?

Any nursing professional regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) who currently works in an emergency department in Ontario can complete the survey. This includes Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

What can you expect from the survey?

This survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. It will ask questions pertaining to how nursing professionals perceive their role and that of AI in triaging, their satisfaction with current triaging practices, and how they anticipate AI will affect their ability to triage patients.

How can I complete the survey?

You can complete the survey by clicking HERE or by copying the following link into a new window: https://mcmasterxceei.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6kWJex6zVpmdpHg.

What will the data collected from this survey be used for?

This survey presents respondents with a valuable opportunity to improve triaging conditions in EDs and enhance nursing practice by informing a report directed towards hospital administrators and regulatory bodies of nursing professionals that will conceptualize the future of triage-related decision-making in emergency departments.

This report will include the following:

A summary of nursing professionals’ perceptions of their professional autonomy and the current state of triage-related decision-making in EDs across Ontario
An explanation of the perceived impact of AI on triage-related decision-making from the perspectives of nursing professionals working on the frontlines
A nursing professional-informed definition of an appropriate scope of practice as it pertains to triaging in increasingly technologically advanced and potentially AI-enabled environments
Strategies to support the resolution of common trade-offs between accuracy and fairness that are observed with AI, due to the clarification of social values vital to triaging that occurs in the survey.

Responses will be applied to ensure that the future of triaging is one that supports nursing professionals’ comfort, increases ED preparedness for high patient volumes, enables a more efficient patient flow, and decreases patient wait times for care.