Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Computer technology; nursing'

[Abstract]: Advances in computer technology and communication technology have been revolutionary during the latter half of the last century. During which, computer technology has transformed the world from the industrial age to the information age. Computer technology by its very nature is a new and intriguing phenomenon to work with. In contrast, nursing by its very nature is an older and most trusted profession to be part of. Uncovering the secrets of combining this media and that profession then became the challenge for the study. The foundations for the study are set within the qualitative model of phenomenology, where the methods are based on the work of van Manen (1997). This framework was used to explore a deeper understanding of the nursing experience with computer technology in the hospital ward. The objectives of the study were primarily to understand computer technology within the social context of nursing and secondly, other objectives were to explore the dynamics, between computer technology and the culture of nursing. Discussion was invited on the positive and negative influences of computer technology as experienced by these nurses.This was achieved by working with nurses in a variety of ward settings including a rural base hospital, as they participated in a series of in-depth, unstructured interviews. The data they provided reflects that computer technology has the potential to impact on the structure and delivery of healthcare, challenge the traditional roles and scope of practice, alter the existing boundaries and relationships and reinvent the clinical environment of nursing.

Nurses need sharp, clinical reasoning skills to respond to critical situations and to be successful at work in a complex and challenging healthcare system. While past research has focused on using virtual learning environments to teach clinical reasoning, there has been limited research on the experiences of nursing faculty and there is a need for research to include a clearer understanding of potentially significant insights that nurse educators may gain from teaching clinical reasoning skills with virtual learning tools. This qualitative study identified and described nursing faculty experiences with teaching clinical reasoning skills when using virtual learning environments. The researcher interviewed eight nursing faculty and content analyzed the data from those interviews. Findings from this qualitative study supported past research and added to the body of knowledge regarding faculty members’ use of virtual learning environments. For example, faculty experiences indicated that virtual learning environments included patient situations that offered faculty a way to better assess students. It was found that assessing a student in the clinical setting could be very subjective, while the virtual environment is finite. Faculty experiences indicated that one of the challenges to teaching clinical reasoning skills with virtual learning environments was that students found that virtual communication was difficult and faculty claimed that using virtual environments increased faculty workload. The findings of this study provided deeper understanding into experiences reported by nursing faculty on the teaching of clinical reasoning skills when using a virtual learning environment. Recommendations for further research include using a larger sample size, a specified education level population, traditional, face-to-face classes as compared to classes from an online, or blended program, and investigating use of a specific virtual learning environment, in new research.

Doctor Educationis
Background: The increasing use of technology and informatics in the provision of nursing care encourages the consideration of whether final year undergraduate nursing students are prepared for the use of informatics in clinical care and what the current state of knowledge, skills and attitudes on nursing informatics is. Purpose of the study: The overall aim was to investigate the perceived relevance, competencies in nursing informatics and attitudes towards nursing informatics of the final year undergraduate nursing students at a selected University in the Western Cape. Methodology: A quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey design was used in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to investigate final year undergraduate nursing student’s perceived relevance of informatics skills for nursing, the perceived level of nursing informatics competence, and attitudes towards nursing informatics. Nursing students currently enrolled in the fourth year in their undergraduate bachelor nursing degree programme were the target population for this study (n=198). Frequencies of the perceived relevance of computers literacy skills, informatics literacy and information management skills for nursing, and competencies in computers skills, informatics literacy and information management skills and attitudes towards informatics were calculated and presented. Results: The findings suggested that even though only 28% (n=28) and 4% (n=4) of nursing students has attended computer and informatics classes respectively, 99% (n=99) confirmed that they perceive nursing informatics as relevant in nursing education and nursing practice. Computer literacy skills (4.23 sd 0.8) were rated more relevant

Objective: To evaluate the utilization of computer decision support software by nurse practitioners and the effect on functional outcomes for patients with low back pain.

Design: The DNP project used a cohort study design utilizing a convenience sample of patients with nonspecific low back pain to evaluate the intervention. The study was divided into two phases. During each phase the patients completed the functional tools on initial treatment and then again at approximately six weeks. The initial phase measured outcomes following the clinicians’ current treatment model without benefit of support software. During the second phase, the computerized clinical decision support software was introduced and implemented. The results were compared of Phase I outcomes were compared to the results of Phase II to determine if the software indeed improved functionality with the patient.

Measurements: A change in the patient’s functional outcomes judged whether the treatment plan was effective. The functional tools utilized in the study were the Oswestry Disability Index and the Roland-Morris Questionnaire. The computer decision support software utilized was iOutcomes.

Results: There were 249 patients verbally consenting for this study with 104 individuals electronically signing consent. Of the 249 participants, 104 individuals completed the written consent. Of the 104 individuals giving written consent, only 94 completed the entire registration process. Of the 94 individuals completing the registration process, only 37 completed the initial functional tools assessment. Of the 37 individuals completing the initial functional tools, only 34 completed the 6-week follow up functional tools.

The findings of the pre-treatment and post-treatment did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference with the introduction of the computer decision support software. The mean for the difference in the ODI and the difference of the RDQ was -1.65 (p = 0.177, SD = 6.96). There was no improvement demonstrated between Phase I and Phase II in regards to the introduction of the computer decision support software.

A common goal among nurse educators is to adequately prepare graduates to be competent, caring professionals who deliver the highest standard of care. For the nursing school graduate, the first step to attaining this goal is success on the NCLEX-RN. Nurse educators are constantly seeking new strategies to help better prepare graduates for first time NCLEX-RN success. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student access to computer-adaptive quizzing software program during the final semester of a baccalaureate nursing program and first time NCLEX-RN success.

Employing the principles of retrieval practice theory, computer-adaptive quizzing is a strategy used in nursing education to allow students to study, evaluate, remediate, and reevaluate mastery of nursing concepts. Computer-adaptive quizzing was developed using the foundational principles of computer-adaptive testing and item response theory, which have been utilized in education, psychology, and computer science for many years.

A retrospective, descriptive correlational design was used to compare NCLEX-RN outcomes of one cohort of students who did not have access to the computer-adaptive quizzing software (n=99) and one cohort who did have access (n=96). The computer-adaptive quizzing software program that was used in this study was PassPoint ^®, a product of Wolters Kluwer Health. There were no statistically significant differences between the two cohorts related to age, gender, race, pre-nursing science GPA, nursing GPA, nursing course failures, and if other degrees were held. There were no major course changes or revisions over the four semesters of the study other than the implementation of the PassPoint adaptive quizzing software. Chi-square analysis suggested that there was an association between having access to and using the software and NCLEX-RN success (p< .001; df=1) with 16.16% of those not having access being unsuccessful on the NCLEX-RN compared to 1.05% of those with access being unsuccessful. Logistic regression showed the predictive model significantly predicted that 18% of the variability of NCLEX-RN success could be linked with usage of the adaptive quizzing software.

The purpose of this study was to determine if students learn clinical judgment as effectively using computer-based simulations as when using high-fidelity mannequin simulations. There was a single research questions for this study: What is the difference in clinical judgment between participants completing high-fidelity human simulator mannequin simulation or computer-based simulation? A convenience sample of 50 associate degree nursing students in the last medical-surgical nursing course of their program were invited to participate in this study. Analysis of the demographic data confirmed the similarity of the two groups in terms of the potentially important confounding variables such as age, sex, education and prior healthcare experience. The score for each participant from the computer-based simulation (Simulation 2) and the percent of interventions completed in the high-fidelity human simulator simulation (Simulation 3) by each participant was added together to obtain an aggregate clinical judgment score for participants in Group C and Group M. Two-tailed t test for independent means was used to determine if a significant difference existed between the aggregate clinical judgment score for Group C and the aggregate clinical judgment score for Group M. Results from the test indicated that there was no difference between groups at the 95% confidence interval. The similarity of the clinical judgment scores of the computer-based simulation group to the scores of the high-fidelity mannequin simulation group indicates similar utility of the two instructional methods. The use of carefully planned and well-designed computer-based simulations can allow students to practice skills and develop confidence, self-efficacy and clinical judgment independently, freeing faculty for other instructional tasks.

Lack of presence in online courses can result in perceived isolation leading to student dissatisfaction with the learning experience. The purpose of this study was to measure nursing students’ perceived extent of teaching, social and cognitive presence and course satisfaction in an online undergraduate nursing course, and whether relationships and associations existed between the three presences, course satisfaction, student demographic, academic, and technology variables, and selected instructional strategies.

The Community of Inquiry theory was the framework used in this descriptive correlational study of RN-BSN students (n= 76). Variables were measured using the Community of Inquiry Survey and the Perceived Student Satisfaction Scale instruments, and a researcher developed survey.

Findings indicated students’ perceived teaching and cognitive presence were present to a greater extent than social presence. Significant positive correlations (p < .01) were found between teaching and cognitive presence (r =.79), cognitive and social presence (r =.64), teaching and social presence (r =.52), satisfaction and the teaching (r =.77), social (r =.63), and cognitive (r =.52) presences. There were no significant findings associated with age, ethnicity, race, number of online courses taken, expected course grade or GPA and perceptions of the three presences and course satisfaction. There was a significant difference (p ≤ .05) with gender and perceived social presence with male students reporting stronger levels. Students experiencing course technology difficulties reported significantly ( p ≤ .05) lower perceptions of teaching presence than those experiencing no difficulty. Significant differences (p ≤ .05) were found between specific course instructional strategies and each presence and course satisfaction. The findings provide faculty with an understanding of online course management and teaching/learning strategies that may increase students’ perceptions of presence in online courses and improve student satisfaction with online learning.

In an age of scarce resources and health care reform, it is important that computerized health care information systems be used effectively. The efficiency and effectiveness of computer applications in hospitals depends on the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and motivation nurses have about use of computers. The purpose of this correlational study is to examine relationships among nurses' attitudes toward computer use with knowledge, satisfaction, beliefs, motivation, and individual characteristics. The study was a modified replication study (Burkes, 1991) using Vroom's (1964) expectancy theory as a framework. Burkes (1991) developed the instrument used in this study to measure nurses' attitudes toward computer usage knowledge, satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation. Demographic data will also be collected.The convenience sample included 66 nurses from one Midwestern Indiana hospital who agreed to participate in this study. Confidentiality was maintained and only group data was reported. Participation was anonymous and voluntary.Findings in this study support Vroom's theory that there is a relationship between beliefs and motivation, between satisfaction and motivation, and between beliefs and motivation. Age, level of nursing experience and level of education did not determine satisfaction, beliefs or motivation to use computer applications. Conclusions from this study were that knowledge levels can vary in regard to use. However, computer knowledge did increase computer-use beliefs. The study indicated the amount of knowledge may increase beliefs and effect computer use attitudes.Further research should try to determine if any demographic information is consistently a predictor of attitudes scores. This information could be helpful in enhancing a successful implementation and utilization of computer systems. There should be research in the variables that impact attitudes of nurses toward utilization of computers.This study is significant because findings will provide information about attitudes and usage of computers in areas of nursing practices. Benefits include increased information about nurses' attitudes regarding computers and variables that may relate to computer use. The usefulness of measuring beliefs, satisfaction and motivation has a practical value in assessment of attitudes to assist educators and organization to meet nurses' needs in settings where computerized nursing programs are utilized. This information may be used in developing teaching strategies for nurses' use of computers in these settings.
School of Nursing

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Diagnostic Radiography, Department of Nursing and Radiography in the Faculty of Health Wellness Sciences at Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014
Aim: The aim of this study was to record the values of CTDIw and DLP displayed on the Computed Tomography (CT) scanner monitors of patients undergoing CT examinations of the head as Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) for dose optimisation in Northern Nigeria. Background: A brain CT scan is the most common CT examination performed, and this modality is recognized as delivering a high dose. CT, therefore, contributes significantly to the total collective effective dose to the population. Elimination of unnecessary or unproductive radiation exposure is necessary. To achieve this, practitioners must adhere to the principles of the justification of practices, and optimisation of radiation protection. Furthermore, the development of DRLs for the local context is advised. These reference doses are a guide to the expected exposure dose from a procedure and are useful as an investigation tool to identify incidences where patient doses are unusually high. Methodology: The study was conducted in three radiology departments with CT centres in Northern Nigeria. Data was collected, using a purposive sampling technique, from 60 consenting adult participants (weighing 70 ±3 kg) that had brain CT scans on seventh generations 4&16-slice GE and 16-slice Philips CT scanners. Prior to commencement of the study the CT scanners were certified by the medical physicists. For each brain scan, patient information, exposure factors, weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIw), volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) values were recorded. The data were analysed using SPSS version (16) statistical software. The mean, standard deviation and third quartile values of the CTDIw and DLP were calculated. An inter-comparison of the measured doses from the three research sites was conducted. A combined dose for the three centres was calculated, and compared with the reported data from the international communities where there are established DRLs. Results: The mean CTDIw and DLP values were: centre A (88 mGy and 713 mGy.cm), centre B (68 mGy and 1098 mGy.cm), and centre C (70 mGy and 59 mGy.cm). Comparison of CTDIw and DLP for the scanners of the same manufacturers showed statistically significant differences (p=0.003) and (p=0.03) respectively. In the case of the scanners of a different model but the same number of slices, the comparison of DLP was statistically significant (p=0.005) while no significant difference was noted in the measured CTDIw. Third quartile values of the cumulative doses of CTDIw and DLP, for Northern Nigeria were determined as 77 mGy and 985 mGy.cm respectively. Conclusion: The study has established Local DRLs (LDRLs) which are significantly higher than most of the reported data in the literature. Also dose variation between centres was noted. Optimization is thus recommended. Keywords: Head Imaging, Radiation Dose, Dose optimization, Computed Tomography, Local Diagnostic Reference Levels, Radiation Protection

Overweight and obese children have increased risks for multiple preventable diseases and conditions which can impair their physiological health and significantly increases the overall cost of their healthcare. Free mobile applications and technology for weight loss, dietary tracking, and physical activity may be quite useful for monitoring nutritional intake and exercise to facilitate weight loss. If so, nurses are well positioned to recommend such tools as part of their efforts to prevent childhood obesity and help children and parents better manage childhood obesity when it is present. However, there are no guidelines that nurses can use to determine what applications or technologies are most beneficial to children and their parents. The purpose of this project is to develop such guidelines based on a review of the scientific literature published in the last 5 years. Articles regarding healthy-lifestyle promoting mobile applications and technological approaches to health and fitness interventions were identified by searching articles indexed by CINAHL, Psychinfo, Medline, ERIC, IEEE Xplore, and Academic Search Premier. Identified articles were assessed using Melnyk’s hierarchy of evidence and organized into tables so that implications for research and suggestions for practice could be made.
B.S.N.
Bachelors
Nursing
Nursing

As tecnologias, fortemente representadas pelos serious games na atualidade, têm ressignificado o processo de ensino-aprendizagem em saúde e enfermagem, contribuindo para o ensino participativo e mediando a aprendizagem não só de estudantes, mas também de profissionais e pacientes. Este estudo consistiu em pesquisa metodológica quanto ao desenvolvimento, baseado na técnica do design participativo, de um jogo educativo denominado e-Baby: avaliação clínica da termorregulação no recém-nascido pré-termo, bem como em um quase-experimento do tipo pré e pós-teste, ao avaliar o nível de aprendizado obtido pelos participantes antes e após uma intervenção, a qual consistiu em um curso semipresencial de 30 horas abordando o tema \'termorregulação do recém-nascido prematuro\' em associação com o jogo desenvolvido, que foi disponibilizado online durante todo o decorrer da atividade de educação permanente. Ao se compararem as médias do pós-teste e as do pré-teste (teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon), verificou-se aprendizagem significativa pelos participantes (p = 0,0001). O jogo e-Baby voltado à avaliação clínica da termorregulação do recém-nascido pré-termo mostrou-se eficaz como instrumento de intervenção no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, despertando interesse e motivação em seus usuários
Information technology, today remarkably exemplified in serious games, has transformed the teaching-learning process in health and nursing, helping promote participative education and mediating the learning of students, professionals and patients. This study comprised a methodological investigation on the development, based on participative design, of the serious game e-Baby: Clinical Evaluation of Thermoregulation in the Preterm Neonate. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test study assessed the level of learning available before and achieved after an intervention consisting of a combined on-site/on-line 30-hour refresher course on the topic of thermoregulation in preterm neonates, during which the game was made available online. Comparison between mean scores of post- and pre-assessments (Wilcoxon\'s non-parametric test) revealed significant learning gains (p = 0.0001). The e-Baby serious game for clinically assessing thermoregulation of preterm neonates proved effective as an intervention instrument in the teaching-learning process, sparking the interest and motivation of its users

Context: Researchers in serious games area and professionals in stroke rehabilitation, working collaboratively in explorative interdisciplinary research studies in order to develop usable and effective applications. In this context, physiotherapists and occupational therapy are important elements of stroke rehabilitation. Applications from such exploratory development reflect motivational and easy to use features, which could be further designed and developed by serious games developers. Objectives: The research study aims to investigate the role and usefulness of Video Capture Virtual Reality Technology (VCVRT) in motor impairment rehabilitation, to identify and explore the importance of this technology in healthcare, specifically in motor impairment rehabilitation. Likewise, to analyze the acceptance of VCVRT among the physiotherapists in terms of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and perceived intension to use. Methods: In this exploratory study literature review, workshop and survey including questionnaire and interview are used, taking Blekinge County Hospital (Karlshamn) as case study along with “TARGET” game as testing platform for introducing and evaluating VCVRT among physiotherapists. For exploring technology acceptance level among physiotherapists, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used in the research work. Results: Video capture virtual reality technology can be used as a complement to conventional physiotherapy. This technology is cheap, easy to use and is useful as a home based rehabilitation tool, but together with physiotherapist supervision or coaching. Moreover, VCVRT is motivational for weak patients and useful in motor rehabilitation in terms of quantity, i.e. intensity of exercise can be increased. Physiotherapist centered approach is necessary for game design process; effective game design suggestions and the idea of single gaming framework consists of different games acquiring multiple rehabilitation goals, are achieved from physiotherapists during the research. Technology acceptance value is high among physiotherapists. Conclusion: The research study provides a more detailed understanding of the factors involved in the implication of video capture virtual reality technology in motor impairment rehabilitation. The authors concluded from the research study that video capture virtual reality technology is applicable for motor impairment rehabilitation while considering following factors, i.e. Physiotherapist centered approach, a gaming framework where a portfolio of games can be assembled for individual patients, and video capture virtual reality technology is applicable for home based rehabilitation under the supervision of physiotherapist. Furthermore, physiotherapists’ concerns and importance in the intervention of serious games and healthcare area are highlighted by this research work.

É crescente o investimento de educadores em enfermagem em pesquisa e produção de objetos digitais de qualidade porque consideram que esta tecnologia oferece um futuro promissor para o processo ensino-aprendizagem. A interação homem-computador acontece através da interface, que deve ser amigável. Sabendo da importância dessa interação sentimo-nos instigadas em avaliar a interface de uma tecnologia educacional digital, junto ao usuário. Objetivo: Avaliar a interface da tecnologia educacional digital Cuidando do ambiente sensorial na unidade neonatal: ruído, luminosidade e manipulação com base em critérios ergonômicos, junto a graduandos em Enfermagem. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, relacionado à avaliação de uma tecnologia educacional digital sobre o ambiente neonatal. Nesta avaliação, foram utilizados os critérios do Ergolist (2008), um instrumento tipo Likert online na própria tecnologia educacional e em ambiente virtual de aprendizagem como ferramenta para avaliação em que foram levantados problemas e qualidades da interface. Para a avaliação da interface, foram convidados a participar alunos de graduação da EERP-USP que cursaram as disciplinas que oferecem conteúdos de enfermagem neonatal. A descrição dos dados relativos à caracterização dos sujeitos e a avaliação de interface se apresentaram mediante uso de estatística descritiva e foram utilizadas tabelas de frequência para os dados quantitativos. Todos os itens foram avaliados positivamente por mais de 70% dos 58 estudantes participantes do estudo. Assim, considera-se que a tecnologia educacional está adequada, segundo os critérios ergonômicos, e pode ser disponibilizada para o ensino de estudantes de enfermagem, sobre o ambiente sensorial das unidades neonatais.
Nursing educators are investing more in quality digital objects\' research and production because they consider that this technology provides a promising future for the teaching-learning process. The interaction between human and computer happens through the interface, which should be friendly. Considering the importance of this interaction, we crave to evaluate the customer (user) experience with a digital education technology interface. Objectives: Evaluate the experience of nursing students with the interface of the digital education technology \"Cuidando do ambiente sensorial na unidade neonatal: ruído, luminosidade e manipulação\" considering ergonomics criteria. This is a descriptive study about the student evaluation of a digital education technology made for the physical neonatal environment. The Ergolist\'s criteria (2008) is a type of Likert online toll available in the digital education technology. This questionary was used as an instrument to evaluate the interface. Nursing students from the EERP-USP who were registered in neonatal disciplines were invited to know and evaluate the digital educational technology. Descriptive statistic was used to present the data of the subjects\' characteristics and the interface evaluation. Quantitative data was presented in frequency tables. All items were positively evaluated for more than 70% of the 58 students. Thereby, according to the ergonomic criteria the educational technology was considered adequate and can be used as an instrument for teaching nursing students about sensory environment in neonatal units.

Os professores, profissionais e estudantes envolvidos na educação a distância, via de regra, não dispõem de uma estrutura e de uma dinâmica para uso eficaz do ferramental tecnológico de software e sistemas disponíveis e assim aproveitar todas as suas potencialidades. O presente estudo tem como objetivo propor estrutura e dinâmica de curso para uso de ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA). Para alcance deste objetivo foi desenvolvida pesquisa, de natureza metodológica, que consistiu na aplicação de conteúdos de enfermagem para oferecimento de curso on-line como uma das ações de workshop internacional para estudantes de graduação em enfermagem do Brasil e de Portugal, onde foram exploradas as principais ferramentas disponíveis no AVA Moodle. Durante o processo de construção e transformação dos conteúdos desenvolvidos em conjunto com professores e equipe técnica, foram registradas algumas etapas distintas, detectados procedimentos específicos a serem realizados por professores, estudantes e equipe técnica. Estes procedimentos, bem como as etapas, estimativas de prazos de realização das atividades, formatos para disponibilização dos conteúdos e os critérios de avaliação utilizados, foram analisados para subsidiar a criação e desenvolvimento do plano estrutural e sua dinâmica. Durante a fase de oferecimento do curso, os conteúdos foram abordados gradativamente, de acordo com cronograma previamente estabelecido, e a equipe docente foi orientada a participar das interações com estudantes e demais membros da equipe. Ao final do evento os estudantes avaliaram o sistema e conteúdos através de instrumento on-line de avaliação de usabilidade baseado em critérios ergonômicos de interface. Para concluir o processo de avaliação, foi executado registro quantitativo de acessos, através de ferramenta de registro de logs e questão dissertativa acerca das ferramentas e formatos utilizados no curso online. A análise dos resultados sinalizou pontos a serem mantidos e aspectos a serem modificados nos conteúdos e formato de utilização das ferramentas. O planejamento apresentou limitações que foram consideradas para o desenvolvimento do produto. Constatou-se também boa receptividade dos estudantes em relação ao formato utilizado. Estes sinalizaram pontos a serem aperfeiçoados. Com base na experiência de oferecimento do curso e na análise dos resultados derivou-se, como produto, uma proposta de estrutura e dinâmica de curso on-line. Este produto é composto por uma proposta de uso de AVA, com mapeamento dos processos de trabalho e diretrizes técnicas de utilização das ferramentas interativas definidas no planejamento e utilizadas para oferecimento do curso. Há necessidade de realização de pesquisas futuras com objetivo de testar o modelo proposto.
Professors, professionals and students involved in distance education often do not have a structure or dynamics available for the efficient use of software or systems in order to take advantage of all their potential as technological tools. This study proposes a course structure and dynamics to be used in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). For that, a methodological search was developed, which consisted of applying nursing content to be offered in an online course as one of the activities of an international workshop concerning undergraduate nursing students in Brazil and Portugal, where the main tools available in the AVA Moodle were explored. During the construction and transformation of content developed jointly with professors and the technical team, distinct stages were identified, and specific procedures to be performed by professors, students and the technical team were determined. These procedures as well as the stages, estimated timeframes for performing the activities, format to present content and the evaluation criteria used were analyzed to support the creation and development of the structural plan and its dynamics. Content was gradually addressed throughout the course according to a previously established schedule. The team of professors was prepared to interact with students and remaining team members. At the end of the course, the students evaluated the system and content via an online evaluation usability instrument based on ergonomic criteria evaluating interface. To conclude the evaluation process, a quantitative recording of accesses was performed through a log registration tool and through an essay addressing the tools and formats used in the online course. The results indicated those aspects to be kept and those to be changed in relation to content and the format of tools. Planning presented limitations that were considered in product development. There was good receptivity from students in relation to the format, though they indicated aspects to be improved. The product that resulted from the experience of offering an online course and the analysis of results was a proposal of an online course\'s structure and dynamics. This product is composed of a proposal of AVA use with a map of working processes and technical guidelines concerning the use of interactive tools defined in the planning and that will be used to offer the course. Further research to test the proposed model is needed.

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This study aimed to develop a computerized educational resource on Patient Safety, and propose a Choosing Priorities in Education Service Tool, which give rise to a questionnaire rank the educational actions which should be priority. The creation of this resource was marked in Planning Learning Activities Supported by Computers, which is a methodology for developing educational content supported by computer. Evaluated the technical quality and usability of the resource based on the scale SUS (System Usability Scale), which quickly evaluates the usability of systems. The feature that prioritizes the educational measures was evaluated positively, can turn into a powerful educational tool in nursing education.
Este estudo objetivou desenvolver um recurso educacional informatizado sobre Segurança do Paciente, além de propor uma Ferramenta de Escolha de Prioridades de Educação em Serviço (FEPES), que originará um questionário para elencar as ações educativas que deverão ser prioritárias. A criação deste recurso foi pautada no Planejamento de Atividades de Aprendizado Apoiadas por Computador, sendo esta uma metodologia para o desenvolvimento de conteúdos educacionais apoiados por computador. Avaliou-se a qualidade técnica e a usabilidade do recurso baseouse na escala SUS (System Usability Scale), que avalia de forma rápida a usabilidade de sistemas. O recurso que prioriza as ações educativas foi avaliado positivamente, podendo transformar-se em uma ferramenta educacional potente no ensino de enfermagem.

Introdução: O desenvolvimento e a aplicação das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação associadas à internet exercem mudanças no processo de ensino aprendizagem e podem contribuir para a educação permanente em enfermagem, favorecendo a capacitação de enfermeiros, para reconhecer imediatamente a situação de parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR) de adultos e sistematizar as intervenções de suporte avançado de vida (SAV), a fim de que colaborem para o sucesso da reanimação cardiopulmonar e maior sobrevida dos pacientes. Objetivos: Desenvolver e avaliar a qualidade do curso on-line para enfermeiros sobre suporte avançado de vida nos casos de parada cardiorrespiratória em adultos. Método: Pesquisa metodológica aplicada, na modalidade de produção tecnológica de natureza quantitativa, exploratória e descritiva. Para o desenvolvimento do curso on-line, utilizou-se o modelo de Design Instrucional Contextualizado (DIC). A seleção dos participantes foi aleatória, intencional e não probabilística. Participaram do estudo dezesseis enfermeiros especialistas na área de urgência e emergência adultos e/ou de educação on-line. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de novembro a dezembro de 2016. A avaliação do curso on-line foi baseada em critérios validados de Avaliação da Qualidade de Objetos de Aprendizagem. Resultados: O curso on-line foi implementado no ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA) Moodle®, em nove unidades de aprendizagem e obtiveram índices de alta e boa qualidade em quinze (75%) critérios referentes à pertinência, contextualização, qualidade da informação, navegação, referências, portabilidade, correção de conteúdo, clareza das informações, facilidade de aprendizagem na interação e de localização das informações, interatividade, eficiência de utilização, utilização de recursos audiovisuais, ergonomia e estética. Foram avaliados cinco (25%) critérios como qualidade mediana relacionados à facilidade de retorno, uso de marcas especiais, gestão de erros, múltiplas janelas, ajuda aos usuários. Conclusões: os resultados mostraram que os referenciais teórico-metodológicos e pedagógicos adotados possibilitaram o desenvolvimento do curso on-line sobre SAV em PCR de adultos conferindo-lhe viabilidade de integrar tecnologias e estratégias educacionais inovadoras na implementação de capacitação e atualização de enfermeiros nas situações de emergência utilizando AVA.
Introduction: The development and application of Information and Communication Technologies associated to internet bring evidence-based changes in the processes of teaching and learning and may contribute for permanent education in nursing, promoting the training and the qualification of nurses on recognition of situations of cardiorespiratory arrest (CPR) in adults and on the systematization of advanced life-support interventions, in order to collaborate for the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and longer survival of adult patients. Objectives: Develop and evaluate the quality of the on-line course on advanced life support in adult cardiorespiratory arrest for nurses. Method: Applied methodological research, in the form of technological production based on quantitative, exploratory and descriptive research. For the development of the on-line course the Contextualized Instrumental Design (DIC) model was used. The selection of participants was random, intentional and non-probabilistic. Sixteen nurses specialists in the area of urgency and emergency to adult and/or on-line education participated in the study. Data collection has taken place from November to December 2016. The evaluation of the on-line course was based on assessed criteria of Learning Object Quality Assessment. Results: The on-line course was implemented in the Moodle® virtual learning environment in nine learning units and obtained high quality indexes in fifteen (75%) criteria regarding pertinence, contextualization, information quality, navigation, references, portability, content correction, technical information, ease of learning in interaction and location of information, interactivity, efficiency of use, use of audiovisual resources, ergonomics and aesthetics. Five (25%) criteria were evaluated a median quality related to ease of return, use of special brands, error management, multiple windows, and user assistance were also evaluated. Conclusions: The results showed that the theoretical, methodological and pedagogical frameworks adopted allowed the development of the on-line course on life-support interventions in adult CPR focused on adult learning, making it possible to integrate innovative educational technologies in the implementation of training and professional updating for nurses in the emergency situations using virtual learning environment.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Introduction: With the advances in science and technology profound changes on higher education arise, One such change is the adoption of Information Technology and Communication (ICT ), both by society, but also in academia, becoming thus subject, processes and products Objective: To understand , through the discourses of teachers , the use of information and communication technology as didactic and pedagogical resource for the teaching-learning process in nursing . Method: This is a descriptive exploratory qualitative study, guided by Grounded Theory (GT) as a theoretical and methodological framework. The study population consisted of twelve nursing faculty linked to the Federal University of Paraiba, Center for Health Sciences Data collection was conducted through interviewing technique, supported by a semi-structured, and data analysis developed simultaneously with collection and a constant comparison of data to find the core category. Results: The results of the discussions were based on the corresponding literature information technology and communication in the field of nursing education, Data analysis allowed the formation of several categories and subcategories with the emergence of phenomena, from the integration between these categories in the paradigmatic model proposed by Strauss and Corbin , resulting in two phenomena: " Using Information and Communication Technology in teaching nursing"; "Experiencing problems using Information Technology and Communication in nursing education. " In this process, the nursing faculty expressed the knowledge dimension of ICT experienced in practice as well as their difficulties on the social context in which they were inserted. And, from the interrelation of the two phenomena arises the core category of the study: Experiencing the use of Information Technologies and Communication and its difficulties in the teaching- learning process. Conclusion: It can be concluded that teachers recognize that ICT inserted in undergraduate nursing education is of great importance, because of the benefits it can cause, helping in the theoretical and practical. And, as the virtual learning environment Moodle, it is seen that few teachers make use of this educational tool, but who do not yet use, this study "awakened" the curiosity to know, improve and use. Thus, ICT should be further studied and explored in healthcare and more specifically, in the training of nurses.
Introdução: Com os avanços nas áreas da ciência e da tecnologia surgem profundas mudanças sobre a educação superior. Uma dessas mudanças é a adoção das Tecnologias da Informação e da Comunicação (TIC), tanto pela sociedade, como também no meio acadêmico, transformando, assim, sujeitos, processos e produtos. Objetivo: Compreender, através dos discursos dos docentes, a utilização da tecnologia da informação e comunicação como recurso didático-pedagógico para o processo ensino-aprendizagem em enfermagem. Método: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, orientada pela Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados (TFD) como referencial teórico e metodológico. A população foi constituída por doze docentes de enfermagem vinculados a Universidade Federal da Paraíba, do Centro de Ciências da Saúde. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio da técnica de entrevista, subsidiada por um roteiro semiestruturado, sendo a análise dos dados desenvolvida simultaneamente com a coleta e uma constante comparação dos dados até encontrar a categoria central. Resultados: As discussões dos resultados foram embasadas na literatura correspondente as tecnologias da informação e comunicação na área da educação em enfermagem. A análise dos dados permitiu a formação de categorias e subcategorias com o surgimento de fenômenos, a partir da integração entre essas categorias no modelo paradigmático proposto por Strauss e Corbin, resultando em dois fenômenos: Usando a Tecnológica da Informação e Comunicação no ensino de Enfermagem ; Vivenciando dificuldades ao utilizar a Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação no ensino de enfermagem . Nesse processo, os docentes de enfermagem expressaram a dimensão do conhecimento da TIC vivenciada na prática, bem como suas dificuldades quanto ao contexto social em que estavam inseridos. E, a partir da inter-relação dos dois fenômenos surge a categoria central do estudo: Vivenciando o uso das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação e suas dificuldades no processo ensino-aprendizagem. Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que os docentes reconhecem que a TIC inserida no curso de graduação do ensino de enfermagem é de grande importância, em virtude dos benefícios que ela pode ocasionar, auxiliando nas atividades teórico-práticas. E, quanto ao ambiente de aprendizagem virtual, moodle, é visto que poucos docentes fazem uso dessa ferramenta educacional, mas os que ainda não a utilizam, esse estudo despertou a curiosidade em conhecer, se aperfeiçoar e utilizar. Assim, as TICs devem ser mais estudadas e exploradas na área da saúde e, mais especificamente, na formação dos enfermeiros.

Nurses are often the first members of the health care team with whom patients interact. The initial impression of the nurses’ receptiveness to the patients’ needs influences the patients’ views of their overall care. Researchers have suggested that understanding communication between individuals can provide the human link, or social element, to the successful implementation and use of electronic health records, including documentation (Lanham, Leykum, & McDaniel, 2012). Zadvinskis, Chipps, and Yen (2014) identified that the helpful features of bedside documentation systems were offset by the mismatch between the system and nurse’s workflow. The purpose of this micro-ethnography study was to explore the culture of nurse-patient interaction associated with electronic documentation at the bedside. Data were collected through passive participant observation, audio-taping of the nurse-patient interactions, and informal and semi-structured interviews with the nurses. A total of twenty-six observations were conducted on three nursing units at an urban healthcare facility in New England. These three units were occupied by similar patient populations and all patients required cardiac monitoring. Three themes consistently emerged from qualitative data analysis: the nurses paused during verbal communication, the nurses played a game of tag between the patient and the computer, and the nurses performed automatic or machine-like actions. The participants described these themes in the informal and semi-structured interviews. The nurses’ actions were observed during passive participant observation, and the audio-taped interactions supported these themes. Understanding the adaptation of caregiving necessitated by bedside electronic documentation will have a positive impact on developing systems that interface seamlessly with the nurses’ workflow and encourage patients’ active participation in their care.

Background: Computerization and the automation of nursing practice have evolved discretely and concurrently in this local health authority. During the early years when computers were first introduced into the clinical areas, computer technology was deployed with lilLIe or no consideration of the relationship between nurses and their requirements for access to information. With limited education and training, computer adoption rates among nurses have varied and havc not yct achieved the desired level of uptake to optimize the use ofcomputer technology in nursing practice. Aim: The purposc of this grounded theory research study was to gain a theoretical understanding about how nurses' understand and manage computer integration in their clinical practice. Method: Grounded Theory methods were used to examine the data acquired through semistructured interviews of 12 RN participants, currently practicing in two acute care, tertiary hospitals. Using the constant-comparative method of analysis, all data wcre collected and analyzed concurrently. Memo-writing was used extensively throughout the data collection and analysis process to further analyze and engage with the data. Findings: The findings demonstrate that nurses experience the integration of computers in their practice with varying spccds and degrees of adoption. They all engaged in the social process identified in this thesis as "Developing a Relationship with the Computer in Nursing Practice". Conditions and contingencies such as Prior Experiences contribute 10 the nurses' ability to Synthesize Values in their practice. Synthesizing Values is a process that requires nurses to identify and acknowledge their practice values in relation to the integration of computer technology in the context of patient care. The extent to which the nurse is able to synthesize values, detcnnincs herlhis ability to realize the benefits of integrating computer technology and subsequently manage the barriers. The extent to which nurses realize benefits and manage the barriers further defines whether they, "adopt", "adapt" or "ignore" the computer technology. This process is continuous and dynamic. As the nurses engage in new experiences associated with computerization, their acknowledgment of and ability to synthesize values and thus to realize benefits and/or manage the barriers becomes that much more infonned. Ln the end, the nurse may transition from a stale of"ignoring" to a stale of ,'adopting" depending on the outcome of her or his ability 10 realize benefits and manage the barriers. Conclusions: The participants in this study illuminated the importance of the organization attending to a diverse nursing community whcn introducing computer technology in their respective practice environments. Consideration of nurses' prior experiences particularly in the areas of computer experiences, bio-medical technology experiences, leaming, organizational discourses and professional discourses, will better inform future computerization initiatives requiring computer adoption and the inclusion of related clinical information systems. The participants in this study reveal the basic social process of DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHJP WITH THE COMPUTER IN NURSING PRACTICE when confronted with computerization in their practice.
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A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING JOHANNESBURG, MAY 2015
Medical Informatics
Information Systems
The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and opinions of nursing students at Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College on the use of computer technology by lecturers in the classroom and student nurses' perceptions and opinions on their use of computer technology during self-study. A survey research design was used to answer the research questions. The target population was all students in their final year in 2012 studying towards becoming a registered or enrolled nurse at Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College. Self-report data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Census sampling was used and of the total population of students (N=320), 176 questionnaires were returned resulting in a response rate of 55%. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The relationships between variables were determined by using chi-square and Fisher‟s exact test. Findings revealed that the use of computer technology by lecturers in the classroom was poor. It also seemed as if the students were not encouraged to use computers and the internet for self-study as there were little learning activities that required students to use computers. Connectivity and accessibility to computer technology and the internet were among the challenges. However, most respondents were positive about using computer technology including the internet, for teaching and learning in a nursing programme. It is recommended that lecturers be encouraged to use computer technology in the classroom in order to motivate students and stimulate their interest in learning. Students' access to use of computers and internet need to be improved. For instance, lecturers need to create learning activities that encourage students to use computer technology as well as searching for information from the internet to obtain more, updated and reliable information. There is a need to assist the students who lack skills in information and technology so that they may have confidence in the use of computers and the internet and maximize their opportunities for learning. The college may need to avail awareness campaigns, especially during orientation so that all students can be aware of the college computer laboratory. The number of computers need to be increased and the computer laboratory needs to be expanded so that as many students as possible can access the resources at any given time. It is also recommended that the college improve on connectivity and accessibility to computer technology and the internet.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2014.
Background The rapid growth in information and communication technology (ICT) in the 21st century has impacted all spheres of human activity, including the health sector. The change introduced by ICT requires educational institutions to relook at the way in which they develop and implement their education programmes. In contemporary clinical practice environments, ICT skills are providing benefits for nurses as well as for the patients they care for. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the status of usage of ICT by academic staff, students and administrators within campuses of the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing which consists of 11 main campuses and 14 sub-campuses. Methodology A quantitative, cross sectional study was conducted which included academic staff, administrative staff, and students (R425 and R212) of the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing. A random sample of 576 individuals participated in the study consisting of academic staff (176); administrative staff (30) and students (340). Participants completed a questionnaire that established their demographic data and ICT usage. Results The questionnaire response rate was academic staff (80%), students (89%) and administrative staff (93%). The findings showed that while respondents were able to manage work related activities; they experienced poor access to computer training with 66% indicating they had access to computer training. The access to computer training for the administrative staff was 50%, with 8% of rural and 1% of urban students having access to training. The majority of academic staff have access to desktop computers with there still being a divide in terms of rural access as compared to urban access p=0.24. Significantly more administrative staff had access to desktop computers than those who do not p<.0005. The access to desktop computers for students was low, with 22% of respondents in both rural and urban campuses indicating that they have access. Access to the internet was low for all respondent groups with a significant difference between those who have access compared to those who do not have access p=<.0005, for both the academic and student groups. There is a low use of ICT for the purposes of teaching and learning with the majority of respondents (60%) indicating that they do not use ICT for teaching compared to those who do p=.0007. All respondent groups have experienced poor ICT support with the majority indicating that they do not receive ICT support p=<.0005. The usage of the online library was low for all groups, with 61% of academic staff, not accessing the online library for reasons of access, or knowledge about the library, 23% of urban students and 20% of rural students have indicated ever using the online library. Conclusion The study highlights the need for the KZNCN to be on par with higher education institutions globally in access to and usage of ICT. Benchmarking with higher education institutions in the health and other sectors is essential, in order for the KZNCN to benefit from the trend in incorporating technology into the teaching and learning process. Strong collaboration is necessary between the KZNCN as an academic institution and clinical health facilities to ensure that the developments in ICT within both sectors are reflected in the teaching and learning process, so that graduating nurses are able to function effectively. Clear policy documents and guidelines are required for the KZNCN which reflect the norms required for both ICT equipment and systems to enable functioning of the institution within an increasingly technological environment.

The participation of senior nursing healthcare executives in the acquisition of electronic healthcare information system is not well understood. This is an important issue because nurses make up the majority of care-providers within the Canadian healthcare system, and thus the majority of the information systems end-users. End-user involvement in the selection and evaluation of a healthcare information system is vital to implementation success; it is very important we understand the participation of the nursing leadership making these important decisions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore this gap in our understanding, to find ‘Nursing’s Voice’ in this process. The soft-systems methodology theoretical perspective was used to understand how this process might be improved. Senior healthcare executives with a background in nursing from each of the Health Authorities across British Columbia were recruited to participate in an online survey questionnaire. An N=11 of senior executives were invited to participate, and a response rate of 82% was achieved. The results showed that despite a lack of formal training in information technology subjects, the majority of these nursing leaders do take an active role in electronic healthcare information systems acquisition and upgrading projects along-side their health informatics colleagues; ‘Nursing’s Voice’ is clearly heard.
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