Smartphone use to answer clinical questions: a descriptive study of APNs

Utilization of Smartphones and Attitude Regarding Their Use at the Workplace by Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

The use of personal smartphones in healthcare settings is widespread, with nurses often integrating these devices into their profession's practices. This study addresses the utilization of and attitudes toward smartphone use among nurses in the workplace.

METHODS

This study uses a descriptive cross-sectional design and includes 258 nurses from various departments in a tertiary care teaching and research hospital in India. Data was collected using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States) through a socio-demographic questionnaire and two scales: "Utilization of Smartphones at Workplace" and "Attitude Regarding Smartphone Use at Workplace."

RESULTS

 The findings indicate that a significant proportion (64.3%) of participants use their smartphones for less than an hour at the workplace. Notably, a substantial majority (78.7%) agree that employers should implement a policy regarding smartphone use. Additionally, 34.1% use their smartphones for personal reasons for less than an hour, with 24.4% specifically engaging in social media use with a statistically significant difference (p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study finds an enormous gap in nurses' smartphone use, with a greater emphasis on personal and social media activities than professional responsibilities. Establishing a collaborative regulatory framework is essential for aligning smartphone use with patient care obligations and ensuring a balance between possible benefits and risks.

Educational technology on expressing breast milk: development and validation of a Serious Game

Abstract Objectives: to develop and validate a Serious Game about expressing breast milk for occupational nurses working in agribusiness companies. Method: methodological study, carried out in three stages: construction, evaluation and validation of the Serious Game. This study was carried out in 2020, included nine nurses from an agribusiness company and nine specialists in obstetrics and health worker. Results: the game was structured in four phases: preparation for expressing milk (previous general care needed for expressing milk); methods for expressing milk (techniques to express milk); storage (care related to containers and temperature); the use of breast milk (transport, thawing method, and provision to the child). The content was validated by experts, obtaining an overall Índice de Validade de Conteúdo(Content Validity Index) of 86.72%. The game was tested by occupational nurses, and its “usability” was validated by the System Usability Scale instrument, with an index of 83.89%, and the “knowledge improvement” by the EGameFlow instrument with a mean of 6.52. Conclusion: the Expressing Milk Game technology obtained a high level of validity in terms of content and usability, demonstrating that it is an educational technology for health professionals to guide the maintenance of breastfeeding to nursing mothers.

Nurses' Use of Personal Smartphone Technology in the Workplace: Scoping Review

Background

There has been an increase in the technological infrastructures of many health care organizations to support the practice of health care providers. However, many nurses are using their personal digital devices, such as smartphones, while at work for personal and professional purposes. Despite the proliferation of smartphone use in the health care setting, there is limited research on the clinical use of these devices by nurses. It is unclear as to what extent and for what reasons nurses are using their personal smartphones to support their practice.

Objective

This review aimed to understand the current breadth of research on nurses’ personal smartphone use in the workplace and to identify implications for research, practice, and education.

Methods

A scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework was conducted, and the following databases were used in the literature search: CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Embase, MEDLINE, Nursing and Allied Health Database, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Reviews. Search terms used were Nurs* AND (personal digital technology OR smartphone OR cellphone OR mobile phone OR cellular phone). Inclusion criteria included research focused on nurses’ use of their own digital technologies, reported in English, and published between January 2010 and January 2020. Exclusion criteria were if the device or app was implemented for research purposes, if it was provided by the organization, if it focused on infection control, and if it was focused on nursing students or nursing education.

Results

A total of 22 out of 2606 articles met the inclusion criteria. Two main themes from the thematic analyses included personal smartphone use for patient care and implications of personal smartphone use. Nurses used their smartphones to locate information about medications, procedures, diagnoses, and laboratory tests. Downloaded apps were used by nurses to locate patient care–related information. Nurses reported improved communication among health team members and used their personal devices to communicate patient information via text messaging, calling, and picture and video functions. Nurses expressed insight into personal smartphone use and challenges related to distraction, information privacy, organizational policies, and patient perception.

Conclusions

Nurses view personal smartphones as an efficient method to gather patient care information and to communicate with the health care team. This review highlights knowledge gaps regarding nurses’ personal device use and information safety, patient care outcomes, and communication practices. This scoping review facilitates critical reflection on patient care practices within the digital context. We infer that nurses’ use of their personal devices to communicate among the health care team may demonstrate a technological “work-around” meant to reconcile health system demands for cost-efficiency with efforts to provide quality patient care. The current breadth of research is focused on acute care, with little research focus in other practices settings. Research initiatives are needed to explore personal device use across the continuum of health care settings.

With a smartphone in one's pocket: A descriptive cross-sectional study on smartphone use, distraction and restriction policies in nursing students

BACKGROUND

The use of personal smartphones is a reality in healthcare settings. Current research is allowing us to understand in what ways they help with communication and decision making at the point of care and their impact on patient safety.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to characterize the use of smartphones by nursing students, and assess their opinions about the use of such phones as a distracting factor during clinical practicum and smartphone restriction policies.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

234 students from one School of Nursing in Spain completed the survey in 2017.

METHODS

A questionnaire was created based on various validated instruments for assessing students' use of smartphones, distraction associated with this use and the development of policies on their use during clinical practice.

RESULTS

While 23.3% of participants admitting to using their smartphone for personal reasons at least once during their practicum, they perceived that their own level of distraction was low (6.9%). Notably, the level of distraction associated with others' smartphone use was perceived to be higher than that associated with their own use. Students' opinions about policies were significantly related to the frequency of witnessing other students and nurses being distracted (r = 0.139, p < 0.05), but not to their own distraction experiences (r = 0.114, p = 0.084).

CONCLUSIONS

Smartphones are not widely used for professional purposes among nursing students, while personal use is commonplace. Nurse educators, students and nurse mentors need to work together to introduce strategies to facilitate care delivery through the use of mobile devices but at the same time must be aware of the risks associated with distractions, including to patient safety.

Information literacy skills and training of licensed practical nurses in Alberta, Canada: results of a survey

BACKGROUND

Although information literacy skills are recognized as important to the curriculum and professional outcomes of two-year nursing programs, there is a lack of research on the information literacy skills and support needed by graduates.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the information literacy skills and consequent training and support required of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Alberta, Canada.

METHOD

An online survey using a random sample of new graduates (graduated within 5 years) from the registration database of the College of Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

RESULTS

There was a 43% response rate. Approximately 25-38% of LPNs felt they were only moderately or to a small extent prepared to use evidence effectively in their professional practice. LPNs use the internet and websites most frequently, in contrast to library resources that are used least frequently. Developing lifelong learning skills, using information collaboratively, and locating and retrieving information are areas where LPNs desire more effective or increased training.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest there are significant gaps in the preparedness and ability of LPNs to access and apply research evidence effectively in the workplace. There are several areas in which the training provided by Librarians appears either misaligned or ineffective.

Smartphone Use by Nurses in Acute Care Settings

The use of smartphones in acute care settings remains controversial due to security concerns and personal use. The purposes of this study were to determine (1) the current rates of personal smartphone use by nurses in acute care settings, (2) nurses' preferences regarding the use of smartphone functionality at work, and (3) nurse perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of smartphone use at work. An online survey of nurses from six acute care facilities within one healthcare system assessed the use of personal smartphones in acute care settings and perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of smartphone use at work. Participants (N = 735) were primarily point-of-care nurses older than 31 years. Most participants (98%) used a smartphone in the acute care setting. Respondents perceived the most common useful and beneficial smartphone functions in acute care settings as allowing them to access information on medications, procedures, and diseases. Participants older than 50 years were less likely to use a smartphone in acute care settings and to agree with the benefits of smartphones. There is a critical need for recognition that smartphones are used by point-of-care nurses for a variety of functions and that realistic policies for smartphone use are needed to enhance patient care and minimize distractions.

Student Perceptions and Acceptance of Mobile Technology in an Undergraduate Nursing Program

Mobile technology allows healthcare students to access current evidence-based resources. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the student experience of implementing point-of-care (POC) smartphone applications in a first-semester undergraduate nursing program. Teaching methods included using case studies in the laboratory to familiarize students with the apps. At community screening sites, evidence-based guidelines were referenced when students discussed screening results with patients. Surveys were administered prior to implementing this innovation and after the students utilized the apps in direct patient interactions. Survey results were analyzed to evaluate student perceptions and acceptance of mobile technology. Students felt that healthcare smartphone apps were a helpful and convenient way to obtain evidence-based clinical information pertinent to direct care settings. Over 90% of students planned to continue using healthcare smartphone apps. In conclusion, healthcare smartphone apps are a way for students to become comfortable accessing evidence-based clinical resources. It is important to encourage students to use these resources early in the curriculum. Community screenings are an independent health promotion activity which assists in the attainment of health equity and fosters nursing leadership.

Nursing students' perceptions of using smartphones in the community practicum: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Smartphones have the potential to revolutionize the way in which nurses practice by facilitating access to evidence-based resources, however their integration in nursing practice remain variable. Millennials tend to be more comfortable with technology, yet find themselves limited in their ability to use smartphones within the context of clinical practice.

METHODS/DATA SOURCES

Using a qualitative descriptive design, we explored nursing students' perceptions of using smartphones in the community practicum. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and verbatim transcripts were subjected to data analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of 8 undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling strategy.

RESULTS

Students' narratives describe unclear expectations regarding the use of smartphones that force them to adopt individualized strategies to maintain their professional image and avoid negative consequences.

CONCLUSION

A cultural shift will be required at the academic and organizational levels if we are to foster acceptance of smartphones in community practice going forward.