Ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence in nursing and midwifery: A systematic review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) techniques, models, and tools are increasingly used in healthcare to support clinical decision-making, administrative workflows, and patient care but key ethical concerns such as accountability, fairness, and transparency exist which affect nursing and midwifery practice. However, this discourse often overlooks the relational, contextual, and embodied aspects of care. This systematic review aimed to critically identify, appraise and synthesise the evidence on ethical dimensions of AI in nursing and midwifery to address these complex issues.DesignA systematic review was undertaken, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. A comprehensive search using key AI, ethics, nursing and midwifery terms was conducted across CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, The Philosopher's Index and PsycINFO in March 2025. Results were screened on Covidence against eligibility criteria using independent reviewers and quality assessment performed. Data were extracted and inductive thematic synthesis applied to identify key themes.ResultsSix themes on the ethical dimensions of AI in nursing and midwifery emerged. First, preserving humanity emphasised care ethics in AI-mediated nursing and midwifery practice. Second, beyond technical reliability explored safety as an ethical and relation imperative examining premature deployment risks, misinformation as patient harm, and risk mitigation. Third, autonomy, authority and accountability focused on governance challenges and solutions including patient and professional autonomy. Fourth, beyond transparency examined privacy threats, trust-building, and the governance roles of nurses and midwives. Fifth, justice in development and deployment concentrated on algorithmic bias and equitable implementation. Sixth, workforce preparation and deployment centred on capacity gaps and training, critical thinking and ethical awareness, academic integrity, and implementation barriers.DiscussionThis review offers timely and original insights on the ethical dimensions of AI in nursing and midwifery by capturing interconnected tensions between technological innovation and core professional values across relational care, patient safety, governance, information stewardship, equity and justice, and workforce preparedness. Clear recommendations help set the agenda for how the professions engage with AI such as an urgent need for education to improve AI literacy, robust, inclusive and flexible AI governance frameworks, and the implementation of AI tools and systems aligned with nurses and midwife’s values and workflows. Furthermore, the review advocates for rigorous empirical research in AI ethics across diverse settings and populations, with a clear need for more theory-informed research. Addressing these issues requires policies that promote sustained leadership and investment to ensure nurses and midwives are meaningful included in AI design, implementation, and evaluation.
Source: Figshare
Language: English
Subfield: Health Informatics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7165656340