Augmented Reality and Nursing Care Improvement: Enhancing Patient Outcomes and Nursing Efficiency

Abstract

Abstract The advanced technology of augmented reality (AR) is still finding its place in various fields, including healthcare. Much of the discussion of AR in this review article revolves around its potential to improve care in nursing, with particular emphasis on the effects on patient outcomes and work satisfaction among nurses. There are challenges in using conventional approaches to nursing education and clinical skill training, which include the availability of resources and real patients for practice. AR solves these issues by updating the learning mode, as students can immerse in virtually real and actual scenarios in clinical settings for nursing students. These simulations include procedures such as intravenous (IV) line insertion and emergency care, as well as the “skills check” that is presented immediately after providing retention of skills and assurance. In clinical applications, AR can display pertinent patient information, including physical examination data, laboratory data, or patient history, on the surface of the patient’s skin or the side of the bed. This real-time data integration increases the level of accuracy in monitoring, minimizes the possibility of human error occurrence, and increases the workflow rate. Moreover, AR can give step-by-step instructions and snap a clinician back to the key general rules of practice, which is highly essential during stressful conditions, such as in an emergency. However, going beyond the traditional roles of education and decision support, AR can help to optimize patients’ direct care and management activities, including IV-line insertion and wound evaluation. The present technology also has the advantage of giving valuable instruments of patient awareness, thus making patients easily understand even those medical conditions and treatments that may be perceived to be complicated and, therefore, enhance patient compliance with the recommended treatments. The demonstrated possibility to use AR to control the levels of pain and anxiety, along with other advantages, only proves the multifunctional nature of this technology. However, there are some setbacks in AR, such as technical ones, costs, and sufficient training for AR to be utilized optimally. The barriers that need to be overcome are also presented and require improvement for the implementation on a large scale. Further studies and innovations with health-care authorities and technology practitioners are essential for the advancement of AR in nursing care and its capability of enhancing patient well-being and nurses’ productivity.