Pre‑registration nurses: an investigation of knowledge, experience and comprehension of e‑health

• Published in: Australian journal of advanced nursing 2008-02, Vol.25 (2)
• Main Authors: Edirippulige, Sisira, Smith, Anthony, Beattie, Heather, Davies, Elizabeth, Wootton, Richard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1447-4328; 1447-4328
• DOI: 10.37464/2008.252.1855

Objective: The present study investigates the perceptions and attitudes of nursing students with regard to e‑health, the level of their knowledge in e‑health and their expectations of e‑health. Barriers which impede the development of knowledge and skills in e‑health within a nursing curriculum are also explored. Design: The study design was a cross‑sectional survey questionnaire. A questionnaire focusing on the attitudes and perceptions of nursing students toward e‑health was distributed to 60 second year nursing students at a university nursing school in Queensland, Australia. Setting: A tertiary education centre for nurses. Subjects: Second year undergraduate nursing students. Results: 77% (43) respondents admitted they were not familiar with the term e‑health. 82% (46) rated their knowledge of e‑health technologies as minimal. 87% (49) admitted they never had e‑health education in any form. Over 50% (34) of all respondents said they were not sure if e‑health has any relevance to their future practice. 82% respondents rated their computer skills as advanced or intermediate; while 39% (22) responded the main barrier for them to improve their knowledge and skills in e‑health is lack of systematic education and training. Conclusions: Despite the fact that the majority of respondents regularly used computers and the internet in their day to day activities and nursing education, their awareness and knowledge with regard to e‑healthcare was very limited. In order for nurses to be equipped with the skills required to facilitate e‑healthcare applications there is a need for undergraduate students to be provided with formal e‑healthcare training.