Evaluation of nurses’ knowledge and attitudes within the scope of electronic health record and informatics applications

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to identify the views of nurses regarding electronic health records that constitute the basis for health informatics by measuring their knowledge and qualifications about information systems.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted between October 2015 and November 2015 with 330 nurses (90 males, 240 females; mean age 28.3±2.5 years; range 18 to 42 years) who work in a private hospital group in Istanbul. Nurse Information Form, Knowledge and Attitude Assessment Question Form Regarding Informatics Technologies and Applications, and Electronic Health Record Use Assessment Form were used to collect data.
Results: Of the nurses who participated in the study, we found that 51.5% think that software programs should be developed for nursing processes, 59.4% think that electronic health records positively affect provided health care quality, and 47.3% think that electronic health records improve quality of life. We found that a majority of the participants expressed their skill levels for using computers and mobile technologies as “good” and they use such technologies most frequently for social media use. Also, we observed that nurses want to be trained in efficient use of technologies within in-service training programs.
Conclusion: A majority of the nurses believed that use of technology within nursing practices will be beneficial and electronic health records will increase the quality of health care.