Skip to main content

Just-in-Time Support

Attribution

Original work: "Educators' guide to multimodal learning and Generative AI" — Tünde Varga-Atkins, Samuel Saunders, et al. (2024/25) — CC BY-NC 4.0
Adapted for UK Nursing Education by: Lincoln Gombedza, RN (LD)
Last Updated: December 2025

"Just-in-Time" support refers to accessing knowledge exactly when you need it—for example, whilst preparing for a placement shift or revising a specific procedure.

CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING

NEVER use public AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude) as a primary reference for:

  • Drug Dosages (Use BNF)
  • Local Trust Policy (Use Intranet)
  • Resuscitation Algorithms (Use Resus Council UK)

AI models are probabilistic, not databases. They can and do make up numbers.

Safe Use Cases​

1. Revision of Procedures​

Before a clinical skills session, use AI to visualize the steps.

Prompt: "List the sequential steps for Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) for a simple wound dressing. Highlight the key points where contamination risk is highest."

2. Pharmacology Mechanisms​

Use AI to understand how a drug works (Pharmacodynamics), rather than the dose.

Prompt: "Explain how Furosemide works in the Loop of Henle to reduce edema."

3. Understanding Medical Abbreviations​

Prompt: "What might 'TDS', 'BD', and 'PRN' stand for in a prescription context? potential ambiguities?"

The "Traffic Light" Protocol for Students​

Teach students to categorize their queries:

  • 🔴 RED (Stop): Calculations, Dosages, life-critical policies. DO NOT USE AI. Use specific tools.
  • 🟡 AMBER (Careful): Disease symptoms, care plans, broad guidelines. USE AI + VERIFY.
  • 🟢 GREEN (Go): Explanations of concepts, communication roleplay, formatting text. USE AI FREELY.