Attitudes of Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Patients and Nurses Toward Acceptance of AI Psychological Nursing: A Qualitative Study

Tianyu Chu,1,* Xian Chen,1,* Qian Zhang,1 Hui Zhou,1 Ling Chen,2 Kai Jiang3 1Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214062, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214062, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ling Chen, Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214062, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Kai Jiang, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangsu, Wuxi, 214062, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Psychosocial nursing for breast cancer patients is increasingly challenged by the high demand for support. The rapid development of AI technology offers a potential solution to address this challenge. Therefore, exploring the acceptance of AI psychological nursing by breast cancer chemotherapy patients and nurses is of great significance. The study aims to investigate the acceptability of AI in psychosocial nursing and the expectations and needs for its application from the perspective of breast cancer chemotherapy patients and nurses.Patients and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 breast cancer chemotherapy patients and 8 nurses. The data were coded and analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model in conjunction with context-specific psychological variables for cancer patients.Results: The final analysis identified four main themes and ten sub-themes, including AI nursing technology functionality features: ease of use of the AI system, human-like design, and stability of the AI. Emotional perception credibility and support effectiveness: accuracy of emotion recognition, appropriateness of responses, and sustainability of emotional support. Psychological safety protection: perception of privacy boundaries and psychological privacy protection. Drivers of acceptance of AI Psychological Nursing: Feelings of loneliness and pathways to integration.Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of AI to enhance psychosocial nursing for breast cancer patients by addressing emotional support needs and alleviating nursing shortages. The findings provide valuable insights into the expectations, concerns, and perceived benefits of AI, offering a foundation for the design of future AI-driven nursing programs aimed at improving both the psychological and physical health of cancer patients.Keywords: AI, breast cancer, psychological nursing, qualitative research, attitude