University of Twente Student Theses
Analysis of Homecare Nurses’ Attitudes towards, Desires for and Perceived Added Value of Tools on a Tablet
Oost, M. (2015) Analysis of Homecare Nurses’ Attitudes towards, Desires for and Perceived Added Value of Tools on a Tablet.
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| Abstract: | Healthcare is becoming more costly due to elderly people living longer and requiring more care (Van der Horst, van Erp & de Jong, 2011; Rijksoverheid, n.d.). Not only do people keep getting older, the Dutch government also stimulates seniors to remain in their own homes for as long as possible (Rijksoverheid, n.d.). Moreover, healthcare is a service that requires multiple practitioners to deliver it completely (Sicotte, Pineault & Lambert, 1993). Hence, it is required that healthcare practitioners work together and share knowledge with each other. Previous studies have indicated that medical practitioners have used tablets to share knowledge among each other (e.g., Bogossian, Kellett & Mason, 2009). Therefore, it is expected that the tablet can be used as a tool to increase the amount of knowledge sharing and knowledge creation between healthcare professionals and between the homecare nurses of Carinova. Not only does knowledge sharing and creation contribute to competitive advantages (McEvily, Das & McCabe, 2000), this way of learning is more cost-effective compared to formal trainings and meetings (Azudin, Ismail & Taharali, 2009). However, current information and communication technology (ICT) systems in healthcare are often inefficient and lack innovation (Estrin & Sim, 2010). Additionally, not much is known about healthcare workers’ preferences for tools on tablets. Therefore this study researches homecare nurses’ preferences regarding tools on a tablet and their preferred knowledge sharing behaviour. Research questions Due to the ambition of ecological validity, qualitative research questions guided this study. Additionally, ecological validity was important because this study aimed at the adoption of the prototypes by the homecare nurses. Additionally, to formulate appropriate guidelines it was required that the participants could share their opinion freely which led to the choice of qualitative research. Main research question: Which guidelines can be formulated for tools on a tablet that suit the homecare nurses of Carinova Deventer to support knowledge sharing and knowledge creation? Sub-questions: 1. What is the current attitude of the homecare nurses towards tools on a tablet? 2. Which functionalities do the homecare nurses desire for tools on a tablet? 3. What is the perceived added value by the homecare nurses of tools on a tablet? Aim The first aim of this study was to formulate guidelines for tools on a tablet that are suitable to homecare nurses to support knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Additionally, the second aim of this study was to design a prototype for the tablet to support knowledge sharing and knowledge creation between homecare nurses. Methods A literature review was conducted based on the next keywords: knowledge sharing and ICT systems in healthcare. Based on this literature review, the interview instrument was developed. The main constructs of the interview instrument were attitudes, perceived usefulness and perceived added value.The participants of this study were seven homecare nurses, a homecare manager and the director of homecare. Appreciative Inquiry and the 4D-model were used as the consultancy approach during the interviews. Qualitative data were generated from the interviews. After transcription, themes in participants’ utterances were identified according to the literature review. The utterances were analysed according to the structure of the themes. This systematic analysis focused on keywords in utterances. Codes for utterances emerged bottom-up. Findings Digital filing and communication between healthcare practitioners are matters that participants are eager to work with but the system on the tablet does not yet facilitate this. For example, the Electronic Client Dossier (ECD) will be rolled out over the coming year at Carinova. However, efficiency is advocated by all participants and the potential of the ECD is recognized by the homecare nurses. Accordingly, nurses argued the potential of ordering repeat-prescriptions by means of the tablet because it is much faster than making phone calls to the pharmacy and the GP. Additionally, participants would like to have a platform for inter-team role communication to share and create knowledge. Conclusions Conditions for digital systems to be utilized by homecare nurses are the following: security, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Conditions for knowledge sharing between homecare nurses are the following: asking questions, networking, social interaction, weak-ties, able to generate new knowledge, enjoyment, support from and facilitation by management and blended learning. The following guidelines are formulated for tools on a tablet that suit the homecare nurses of Carinova Deventer to support knowledge sharing and knowledge creation: Guideline #1: Homecare nurses must perceive the new technology as a tool that increases their job performance; Guideline #2: Control the subjective norm; Guideline #3: Give the homecare nurses behavioural control; Guideline #4: Enable digital requests that are logged; Guideline #5: Keep medical records up-to-date; Guideline #6: Keep systems secure but simple; Guideline #7: Provide opportunities to homecare nurses to learn through social interaction. Research contributions This study contributed to the knowledge base regarding the preferences of homecare nurses regarding tools on a tablet. Additionally, this study has led to the design of prototypes that reduce the current gaps in ICT systems in healthcare. The prototypes are a platform for knowledge sharing and knowledge creation and a repeat-prescriptions service. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 54 computer science |
| Programme: | Educational Science and Technology MSc (60023) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/68412 |
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