How Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Can Use AI Ethically: 4 Practical Steps
There are several steps psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses can take now to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are implemented ethically. In a previous article, “AI in Psychiatric Nursing: Ethics, Risks, and Opportunities for PMH Nurses,” a nurse expert shared ethical concerns raised by using AI tools in practice.
As a follow-up, here are four proactive ways you can help ensure AI technologies are used safely, ethically, and in ways that support person-centered care.
1. Learn How AI is Being Used in Your Setting
Ask your organization how AI tools are currently being used. Examples might include:
- Clinical documentation (AI scribes)
- Predictive analytics or risk assessment
- Patient messaging platforms
- Therapy chatbots or digital mental health tools
Understanding how these tools function helps PMH nurses identify potential ethical and privacy concerns.
2. Ensure Patients Are Informed When AI Is Used
Transparency is essential in PMH nursing care! Individuals should know when AI tools are involved in their care or documentation and give informed consent. Clear communication helps maintain trust, a core component of PMH nursing.
3. Maintain Clinical Judgment and Human Oversight
AI systems should not replace nurse clinical decision-making. Human oversight remains essential for safe PMH nursing practice. PMH nurses must continue to use their clinical judgement when using AI tools and AI-generated information.
Key responsibilities include:
- Critically evaluating AI-generated recommendations
- Verifying information sources used by AI tools
- Prioritizing clinical assessment and person-centered care
4. Advocate for Ethical AI Policies in Mental Health Care
As advocates, PMH nurses play an important role in shaping how technology is implemented in health care organizations.
PMH nurses can advocate for:
- HIPAA-compliant AI systems
- Policies to address bias and transparency
- Clinician education about AI risks and safeguards
- Ensuring that PMH nursing expertise is included in the creation, training, and testing of these tools.
Learn More & Earn CE
An Interprofessional Approach to the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatric Nursing
Mary L. Serowoky, DNP, FNP-BC; Phillip Olla, PhD; Andrea Kwasky, DNP, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC
0.75 Contact Hours
Free to APNA members for the month of May, this interprofessional panel discussion uses an ethical framework to discuss issues that arise with the use of AI in clinical mental health care settings.
This article summarizes insights from the presentation “An Interprofessional Approach to the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatric Nursing.” The session was delivered by an interdisciplinary panel including nurses, a health systems AI expert, and an ethicist, providing clinical and research perspectives on the use of AI in mental health care. The actions discussed draw on guidance from health care organizations and publications on AI in health care.
