Kuntoutuksen ammattilaisten näkemyksiä tekoälyn hyödyntämisestä työssään

Authors

• Marja Äijö Savonia University of Applied Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9325-6966
• Mari Kansanen The wellbeing services county of North Savo
• Venla Karikumpu The wellbeing services county of North Savo; Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2168-9199
• Tuulikki Vehko Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0034-8379
• Ulla-Mari Kinnunen The wellbeing services county of North Savo; Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3610-3998
• Virpi Jylhä The wellbeing services county of North Savo; Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0725-1414

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.162566

Keywords:

survey, qualitative research, rehabilitation, artificial intelligence

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into rehabilitation services is becoming increasingly emphasized as part of the digital transformation of the social and healthcare services. AI offers opportunities for more personalized care, more efficient allocation of resources, and the analysis of data to support decision-making. However, successful implementation requires structural reforms, the development of staff competencies, and careful consideration of ethical and data security issues.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore rehabilitation professionals’ perspectives on the potential use of AI in future rehabilitation work. Data were collected through a voluntary survey conducted in March–April 2025. The target group consisted of rehabilitation professionals whose email addresses were available through eight professional associations in the field. The cross-sectional dataset was limited to responses to an open-ended question regarding the potential uses of AI (n = 146; N = 432). Respondents included physiotherapists (n = 43), occupational therapists (n = 45), and other rehabilitation professionals (n = 58), such as speech therapists and rehabilitation counsellors, all of whom held a university of applied sciences degree. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis, conducted in overlapping phases.

AI was seen as potentially useful in various stages of the rehabilitation process, including client guidance, needs assessment, planning, and the customization and delivery of rehabilitation exercises. Additionally, AI was expected to support client work by assisting professionals with documentation, information retrieval, and data structuring. Some respondents indicated that they were not familiar enough with AI to assess its benefits. Concerns were raised about data security and ethical implications. While some professionals considered AI unsuitable for client work, others expressed interest and reported experimenting with its use.

Respondents hoped that AI could integrate fragmented data from various sources and present it in a structured manner. They also saw significant potential for AI in managing time and resources. Although there is interest in adopting AI, its effective use requires clear guidelines, training, and trust in the systems.