The Selected National Healthcare Issue Or Stressor: Technolo

The Selected the National Healthcare Issue/Stressor: Technology and Caring

Technology plays a vital role in healthcare by enabling providers to diagnose, treat, and manage patient health effectively. Medical technologies like CT scanners and barcode systems have enhanced documentation accuracy and care coordination, thereby reducing errors and improving patient outcomes and quality of life (Kim et al., 2020). However, the increased reliance on technology has raised concerns about its impact on the humanistic aspect of nursing care. Nurses often spend excessive time interacting with technical devices, which can result in impersonal patient care, diminished compassion, and a loss of the art of caring (Cuchetti & Grace, 2020).

This shift places significant demands on nurses, diverting their attention from holistic patient care to the operation and troubleshooting of complex technological systems. As a result, there's an increased risk of missing non-verbal cues and subtler symptoms that are not captured by electronic records. Scholars identify this technological distraction as a major barrier to delivering holistic, compassionate care in clinical settings. In my work environment, this problem manifests as nurses prioritizing device management over personal interaction, thereby compromising the core values of nursing.

Additionally, technological reliance has contributed to healthcare providers feeling disconnected from the individual identities of their patients. Practitioners may focus on machines, patient throughput, and task completion rather than understanding and empathizing with each patient's unique story and needs. This shift diminishes the caring component, which is essential for patient satisfaction and overall well-being. The concern is that technology, while crucial for advancing healthcare, should not detract from treating patients with dignity and compassion.

To address this issue, my healthcare facility is implementing educational programs aimed at enhancing nurses' ability to blend high-tech, evidence-based practices with compassionate care. Mentorship programs have been established, where experienced staff guide new employees in maintaining a patient-centered approach despite technological complexities. Encouraging practices such as physical touch and presence, even when utilizing advanced tools, helps nurture compassion. Additionally, recognizing and rewarding compassionate nurses reinforces the importance of human connection in healthcare (Cuchetti & Grace, 2020).

By fostering a culture that values both technological proficiency and compassionate care, my facility aims to ensure that nurses do not view technology as a barrier but as an adjunct to holistic patient care. Developing balanced skills allows nurses to deliver efficient, safe, and empathetic care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction while preserving the art of nursing.

References

• Cuchetti, C., & Grace, P. J. (2020). Authentic intention: Tempering the dehumanizing aspects of technology on behalf of good nursing care. Nursing Philosophy, 21(1), e12255.
• Kim, T., Howe, J., Franklin, E., Krevat, S., Jones, R., Adams, K., ... & Ratwani, R. (2020). Health information technology–related wrong-patient errors: Context is critical. Patient Safety, 2(4), 40-57.
• Sharma, S., Rafferty, A. M., & Boiko, O. (2020). The role and contribution of nurses to patient flow management in acute hospitals: A systematic review of mixed methods studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 110, 103709.