Healthcare Professionals’ Interactions with Families of Hospitalized Patients Through Information Technologies: Toward the Integration of Artificial Intelligence

  1. Jose-Fidencio Lopez-Luna
  2. Ruben Machucho
  3. Frida Caballero-Rico
  4. Ramon Ventura
  5. Jorge-Arturo Hernandez-Almazan
  6. Hiram Herrera Rivas

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Abstract

The integration of Information Technologies has transformed interactions between healthcare professionals and the families of hospitalized patients, enabling more comprehensive, transparent, and patient-centered care. Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a transformative tool to further enhance these interactions; however, its implementation faces challenges associated with access to and availability of basic technological infrastructure. This cross-sectional pilot study, conducted at the Tamaulipas Children's Hospital, Mexico, included 51 healthcare professionals from diverse specialties. It examined the use of digital technologies and perceptions of information systems aimed at optimizing communication with families. Findings indicated that 58.80% reported consistent use of digital devices, whereas only 41.20% had regular internet access. Between 60.00% and 67.00% consistently provided information regarding patients’ health status, treatments, and medical procedures. With respect to a digital system, 37.30% considered its implementation necessary and 39.20% perceived potential benefits, although functions such as multimedia sharing and automated notifications were regarded with caution. The questionnaire demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.835) and acceptable construct validity (KMO = 0.705; Bartlett’s test p < 0.001). These results underscore both the feasibility and the challenges of integrating AI-enabled digital systems into hospital settings, highlighting the critical importance of equitable access to technological infrastructure to ensure sustainable adoption.

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  1. PREreview

    This Zenodo record is a permanently preserved version of a Structured PREreview. You can view the complete PREreview at https://prereview.org/reviews/17428910.

    Does the introduction explain the objective of the research presented in the preprint? Yes The introduction explained that preprint is a pilot study that aims to investigate: 1. How healthcare professionals currently use Information Technologies (IT) to communicate with family members regarding health status, treatments, and procedures. 2. The frequency and consistency of that communication. 3. The perception, acceptance, and expectations regarding the implementation of an internet-based information system with advanced capabilities (e.g., multimedia, automatic notifications, material requests). 4. To characterize the communication practices of healthcare professionals with families through IT. 5. To identify perceptions concerning the implementation of an online information system with advanced features, as a preliminary step toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI). The excerpt below is a well-documented final paragraph at the end of the introductory paragraph, which is very informative about the pilot study. "The aim of this pilot study was to characterize the communication practices of healthcare professionals at the Tamaulipas Children's Hospital with the families of hospitalized patients through information technologies; to assess the frequency and consistency of these interactions; and to identify perceptions regarding the implementation of an online information system with advanced features, as a preliminary step toward its integration with Artificial Intelligence. "
    Are the methods well-suited for this research? Highly appropriate Yes, the methods are generally well-suited for the stated objectives of this preliminary work, but the study notes a limitation regarding sample size. The study is designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional pilot study, aiming to characterize communication practices and identify perceptions regarding the implementation of an online information system. This design is appropriate for investigating current usage, frequency, consistency, and expectations of healthcare professionals
    Are the conclusions supported by the data? Highly supported Key findings supported by the data are: a) Limited Technology Use and Low Willingness: The claim of "limited use" and "low willingness" to adopt new systems is supported as the reported use of the internet (41.20%), electronic messages (37.30%), and the perceived necessity to implement a new information system (37.30%) are all below 50.00%. b) High Information Quality: The finding that the quality of information provided "surpassed the average" is supported by high rates of consistency (60.80% to 66.70%) in reporting the patient's health status, medical treatment, and procedures. c) Implementation Challenges: Challenges related to integrating advanced systems are supported by data showing that internet connection availability at the workplace is low (23.50% report "only sometimes") and that advanced functions like multimedia sharing (45.10%) and automated notifications (39.20%) were regarded with caution ("only sometimes") The questionnaire used to collect the data also demonstrated high reliability (α=0.835) and acceptable construct validity (KMO = 0.705)
    Are the data presentations, including visualizations, well-suited to represent the data? Highly appropriate and clear The data presentations are well-suited for this descriptive, cross-sectional pilot study due to the following observations: 1. Tables and Figures: Demographic characteristics are presented using counts and percentages in Table 1. Key findings regarding technology use, information provided, and professionals' perceptions of advanced systems are illustrated using percentages in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, respectively 2. Statistical Results: Instrument reliability and construct validity are clearly represented using standard statistical measures, including a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.835 and a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of 0.705
    How clearly do the authors discuss, explain, and interpret their findings and potential next steps for the research? Very clearly Discussion and Interpretation: 1. They interpret low IT usage (e.g., 41.20% internet use) and low willingness (37.30% see implementation as necessary) in the context of previous studies documenting low computer skills and usage among healthcare professionals. 2. High consistency in providing information (60.80% to 66.70%) is interpreted as evidence that the quality of the information supplied "surpassed the average" and supports patient-centered care. 3. They compare the cautious perception of advanced systems (45.10% "only sometimes" think multimedia is needed) to international settings, noting limitations in technological infrastructure in developing countries like Mexico. 4. The high prevalence of information sharing (over 60.00%) is linked to the growing social and ethical demand for transparency in healthcare. Potential Next Steps: The study is explicitly a preliminary step toward integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), due to the following reasons: 1. The findings aim to identify "areas of opportunity that could guide subsequent, more extensive research" focused on technological optimization of clinical communication. 2. The recommendation is to move toward consolidating innovative clinical communication models mediated by IT and enhanced by AI. 3. They emphasize the need for flexible tools that incorporate automation gradually without eroding trust or the quality of interaction
    Is the preprint likely to advance academic knowledge? Highly likely The preprint is likely to advance academic knowledge because it contributes empirical evidence in a Latin American context (Tamaulipas Children's Hospital, Mexico) that has been "little explored in the literature". Key advancements include: a. Providing a preliminary overview of communication practices and patterns using Information Technologies (IT) among healthcare professionals. b. Identifying perceptions and challenges regarding the implementation of advanced digital systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration. c. Guiding subsequent, more extensive research focusing on optimizing clinical communication technologically
    Would it benefit from language editing? No The document clearly communicates the objectives, methods, and findings of the pilot study
    Would you recommend this preprint to others? Yes, it's of high quality The study addresses a relevant topic; the integration of Information Technologies (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare communication, and aims to guide subsequent, more extensive research.
    Is it ready for attention from an editor, publisher or broader audience? Yes, as it is The findings are clearly presented, the conclusions are supported by the data, and the discussion outlines explicit next steps toward optimizing clinical communication and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    Competing interests

    The author declares that they have no competing interests.

    Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    The author declares that they did not use generative AI to come up with new ideas for their review.

  2. Version published to 10.20944/preprints202510.1269.v1