(Toronto, Sept 18, 2026) — JMIR Publications released two feature News and Perspectives articles this week covering deepfake scams impersonating physicians and novel applications of robotics in bedside nursing.
Where Nursing Can Be Automated, And Where It Can’t
Can—and should—bedside nursing tasks be performed by robots? Health writer and ICU nurse Jenna Congdon reviews the data in " The Robot at the Bedside: How Robotics Could Change the Future of Nursing Care ". Though one study found that a majority of bedside nursing tasks could technically be performed by robotic systems, another argued that research in laboratory settings can’t capture the complexity and flexibility of real life clinical settings, pointing to a need for human involvement. But though autonomous robots aren’t yet ready (or wanted) for most hands-on tasks, some robotics may be valuable for home care support, auxiliary nursing support, and patient independence; aiming “to reduce repetitive physical tasks, decrease time spent on nonclinical activities, and allow nurses to focus on assessment, education, and relationship building”, writes Congdon.
Breaking Down AI-Generated Physician Deepfake Scams
Scammers now use generative AI technologies to create deepfakes of physicians to sell products, extract sensitive data, and more. MD-MBA candidate Tejas S Athni, PhD analyzes the types of these scams in " Classifying Physician Deepfakes: The Many Faces of AI-Powered Medical Deception ", asking: “How do they deceive and mislead audiences, and to what ends? And what are the potential clinical impacts?” Athni identifies four ways in which deepfakes are used so far to exploit online users—commercial endorsement, engagement farming, medical misinformation, and phishing—then notes the potential risk for deepfakes to facilitate fraudulent professional communications (like interviews, presentations, and lectures) and to directly sabotage their subjects’ reputations.
About JMIR Publications News and Perspectives
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research. The News and Perspectives section is the newest addition to its portfolio, established to bring the rigor and integrity of academic publishing to scientific journalism. The section features well-researched, expert-driven content from the Scientific News Editor, Kayleigh-Ann Clegg, PhD, and a network of specialist JMIR Publications Correspondents to keep the digital health community informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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