(Toronto, July 16, 2026) Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping nurses better predict health problems before they become emergencies, according to a new review of existing research published in JMIR Nursing . The study found that AI-based nursing interventions can improve the care of people living with chronic illnesses by identifying patients at greater risk of complications, reducing unplanned hospital visits, and potentially lowering health care costs.
The review, " Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence–Based Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Care: Umbrella Review ," published by JMIR Publications , examined the evidence from eight high-quality systematic reviews.
Lead author Jee Young Joo and colleagues found consistent evidence that AI can support nurses in making more informed, proactive decisions, particularly when caring for people with long-term conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Rather than replacing nurses, the findings suggest AI can serve as a clinical decision support tool by analyzing large amounts of patient information to identify warning signs that might otherwise be missed. Across the studies reviewed, machine learning was the most commonly used form of AI.
However, the authors note that there is not yet enough evidence to determine whether AI-based nursing interventions improve patients' psychological or emotional well-being, highlighting an important gap for future research.
As health care systems face growing numbers of people living with chronic diseases, AI has the potential to become an important part of routine nursing practice. These findings provide guidance for health care leaders and educators looking to integrate AI into nursing care and training.
Original Article:
Joo J, Liu M, Cho Y, Cho H. Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence–Based Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Care: Umbrella Review. JMIR Nursing 2026;9:e97905
URL: https://nursing.jmir.org/2026/1/e97905
DOI: 10.2196/97905
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications is a leading independent open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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