Artificial intelligence in Punjab’s Province healthcare: a qualitative exploration of opportunities, challenges, and ethical perspectives

Authors

  • Moneeba Iftikhar Mass Communication, LCWU, Pakistan Author
  • Roha Sabahat Mass Communication, LCWU, Pakistan Author
  • Minahil Kaleem MBBS 2nd year, FJMU, Pakistan Author
  • Hafsah Batool Mass Communication, LCWU, Pakistan Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1070-9489
  • Hannana Fayaz Butt Mass Communication, LCWU, Pakistan Author
  • Andrea Ševčovičová nštitút sociálnych vied a zdravotníctva bl. P. P. Gojdiča a bl. V. Hopku, St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author
  • Tatiana Hrindová Inštitút sociálnych vied a zdravotníctva bl. P. P. Gojdiča a bl. V. Hopku, St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author
  • Daniela Rybárová Inštitút sociálnych vied a zdravotníctva bl. P. P. Gojdiča a bl. V. Hopku, St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12923/pielxxiw-2026-0025

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, explore, healthcare, implementations, Punjab province

Abstract

Aim. The study aims to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with Artificial Inteligence (AI) in Punjab’s healthcare system.

Material and methods. The study adopted a qualitative ethnographic research.  These included a combiation of observations and semi structured interviews. The study consisted of 9 interviews with various health practitioners in one hospital in Lahore. Thecollected data through both research approaches were subjected to open and closed coding procedures and subsequently synthesized to comprehensive conclusions.

Results. There are opportunities in using AI for early disease detection, drug discovery, nursing care, image analysis, which can significantly improve the quality of care and speed up interventions. The potential of AI also helps with predictive analytics for public health planning and improve communication through natural language processing systems. In order to ensure responsible and equitable integration of AI, the study suggests testing AI frameworks in specific healthcare settings, strengthening ethical and data safeguards, investing in professional training, especially for nurses, and conducting cost-benefit analyses to guide implementation.

Conclusions. PAI can significantly reduce workload, automate administrative tasks, and support personalized treatment. However, implementation requires overcoming barriers such as high costs, staff resistance and data security concerns. An ethical, inclusive approach and professional training are needed, especially for nurses which play a key role in bridging technology and patient care.

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Iftikhar, M., Sabahat, R., Kaleem, M., Batool, H., Butt, H. F., Ševčovičová, A., Hrindová, T., & Rybárová, . D. (2026). Artificial intelligence in Punjab’s Province healthcare: a qualitative exploration of opportunities, challenges, and ethical perspectives. Nursing in the 21st Century, 25(2 (95), 135-140. https://doi.org/10.12923/pielxxiw-2026-0025