Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 283-289 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Collegian |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 2015 |
Fingerprint
Cite this
}
Enhancing computer literacy and information retrieval skills : A rural and remote nursing and midwifery workforce study. / Mills, Jane; Francis, Karen; McLeod, Margaret; Al-Motlaq, Mohammad.
In: Collegian, Vol. 22, No. 3, 09.2015, p. 283-289.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing computer literacy and information retrieval skills
T2 - A rural and remote nursing and midwifery workforce study
AU - Mills, Jane
AU - Francis, Karen
AU - McLeod, Margaret
AU - Al-Motlaq, Mohammad
N1 - Includes bibliographical references.
PY - 2015/9
Y1 - 2015/9
N2 - Nurses and midwives collectively, represent the largest workforce category in rural and remote areas of Australia. Maintaining currency of practice and attaining annual licensure with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) present challenges for individual nurses and midwives and for their health service managers. Engagement with information and communication technologies, in order for geographically isolated clinicians to access ongoing education and training, is considered a useful strategy to address such challenges.This paper presents a pre- and post-test study design. It examines the impact of an online continuing professional development (CPD) program on Australian rural nurses and midwives. The aims of the program were to increase basic skill acquisition in the utilisation of common computer software, the use of the Internet and the enhancement of email communication.Findings from the study demonstrate that participants who complete a relevant CPD program gain confidence in the use of information and communication technologies. Further, increased confidence leads to increased access to contemporary, reliable and important health care information on the Internet, in addition to clinicians adopting email as a regular method of communication.Health care employers commonly assume employees are skilled users of information and communication technologies. However, findings from this study contradict such assumptions. It is argued in the recommendations that health care employees should be given regular access to CPD programs designed to introduce them to information and communication technologies. Developing knowledge and skills in this area has the potential to improve staff productivity, raise health care standards and improve patient outcomes.
AB - Nurses and midwives collectively, represent the largest workforce category in rural and remote areas of Australia. Maintaining currency of practice and attaining annual licensure with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) present challenges for individual nurses and midwives and for their health service managers. Engagement with information and communication technologies, in order for geographically isolated clinicians to access ongoing education and training, is considered a useful strategy to address such challenges.This paper presents a pre- and post-test study design. It examines the impact of an online continuing professional development (CPD) program on Australian rural nurses and midwives. The aims of the program were to increase basic skill acquisition in the utilisation of common computer software, the use of the Internet and the enhancement of email communication.Findings from the study demonstrate that participants who complete a relevant CPD program gain confidence in the use of information and communication technologies. Further, increased confidence leads to increased access to contemporary, reliable and important health care information on the Internet, in addition to clinicians adopting email as a regular method of communication.Health care employers commonly assume employees are skilled users of information and communication technologies. However, findings from this study contradict such assumptions. It is argued in the recommendations that health care employees should be given regular access to CPD programs designed to introduce them to information and communication technologies. Developing knowledge and skills in this area has the potential to improve staff productivity, raise health care standards and improve patient outcomes.
KW - Australian rural nurses and midwives
KW - Continuing professional development
KW - Currency of practice
KW - Health care informatics
U2 - 10.1016/j.colegn.2014.02.003
DO - 10.1016/j.colegn.2014.02.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 26552199
VL - 22
SP - 283
EP - 289
JO - Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research
JF - Collegian: The Australian Journal of Nursing Practice, Scholarship and Research
SN - 1322-7696
IS - 3
ER -