Adoption Of Technology In Nursing

adoption Of Technology In Nursingadoption Of Technology

This paper will seek to show how a manager can employ Roger’s principles of relative advantage, compatibility, simplicity, triability and observable results to overcome resistance in nursing community. Further the paper will also look at the important roles nurses can play in the implementation of EHR while at the same time evaluating the negative outcomes of not involving nurses in the software creation process.

As electronic health records (EHR) and information systems become more pronounced in the medical industry, it is imperative that nurses become well versed on these technologies and that the concerns of members of the nursing profession are dealt with to eliminate any resistance which nurses might have towards implementation Health information systems.

Further, the software development life cycle should seek to include the varying opinions of nurses to ensure that the product created is easy to work with and is an improvement of the previous versions (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). This paper will therefore seek to analyse how as a manager one can overcome resistance posed by the nursing community towards adoption of HIT and analyse the ramifications of not involving nurses in the SLDC process.

Paper For Above instruction

The successful integration of technology in nursing practice hinges significantly on understanding and applying change management principles that address resistance and promote acceptance. One foundational framework is Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory, which elucidates factors influencing the adoption rate of new technologies such as electronic health records (EHR). This theory highlights attributes such as relative advantage, compatibility, simplicity, triability, and observable results as key to encouraging change among nursing staff (Rogers, 2003). Applying these attributes allows managers to effectively facilitate nurses' transition to new health information systems, thereby enhancing healthcare delivery.

Relating to the relative advantage of EHR systems, nurses are more likely to embrace technological change when they recognize clear benefits, such as improved patient safety, streamlined workflows, and time-saving features. A study by Li et al. (2019) demonstrated that when nurses perceive tangible benefits, their acceptance levels increase significantly, ultimately fostering a smoother implementation process. Compatibility, another crucial attribute, entails ensuring that EHR systems align with existing clinical workflows and institutional practices. By involving nurses in the customization process, organizations can tailor systems to better fit their routines, reducing resistance and enhancing usability (Ahmed et al., 2018).

Further, simplicity is vital in promoting acceptance; health informatics systems must be user-friendly and intuitive. Training programs that emphasize the ease of use and provide hands-on experience can demystify complex systems, building confidence among nurses (Oluoch, 2020). Triability offers nurses the opportunity to test the system in real-world settings through pilot projects, which can reduce fear of the unknown and allow for feedback-based adjustments. Observable results, such as improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies in pilot hospitals, serve as powerful motivators for staff to adopt the new technology widely (Furukawa et al., 2018).

The active involvement of nurses as change agents is pivotal in successful EHR implementation. Nurses contribute valuable insights during the software development cycle, ensuring that the system meets practical clinical needs. Their feedback during requirement gathering, design, and testing stages leads to more functional and user-friendly products, as documented by Kim et al. (2020). Conversely, failure to include nurses in these stages can result in software that is incompatible with clinical workflows, leading to frustration, decreased efficiency, and resistance.

In the requirement analysis phase, neglecting nurses' input may produce specifications that overlook critical functionalities or include unnecessary features, rendering the system cumbersome. During design, excluding nurses can lead to mismatched hardware and software alignment, increasing training costs and time. In the implementation and testing phases, lack of nurse involvement risks deploying unstable systems riddled with bugs that hamper service delivery. Resistance at the deployment stage can delay adoption, while neglecting post-implementation support can foster long-term dissatisfaction and abandonment of the system (Gagnon et al., 2018).

In conclusion, employing Rogers' principles enables healthcare managers to mitigate resistance to EHR adoption effectively. Active engagement of nurses throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)—from requirement gathering to maintenance—is essential for developing systems that are user-friendly, compatible, and beneficial. Failure to involve nurses during these crucial stages can have detrimental effects, including system inefficiencies, increased resistance, and compromised patient care. As healthcare continues to digitize, fostering a collaborative approach that values nurses' contributions remains paramount for successful technological integration and improved healthcare outcomes.

References

• Ahmed, N., McNeill, M., & Murphy, S. (2018). Developing user-centered health information systems: A review of strategies and challenges. Journal of Medical Systems, 42(4), 70.
• Furukawa, M. F., King, J., Patel, V., Casalino, L. P., & Sastry, S. (2018). Electronic health record adoption and quality of care among Medicare advantage and fee-for-service plans. The American Journal of Managed Care, 24(8), e242-e248.
• Gagnon, M. P., Ghandour, E. K., & Tanguay, M. (2018). Electronic health records adoption in hospitals: A review of barriers and facilitators. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 13(2), 1-9.
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• Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
• Xu, H., & Zhang, Q. (2017). System usability and acceptance among nurses during EHR implementation. Health Technology, 7(4), 341–350.