Predictors and outcomes of nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes

Workplace digitalization and workload: changes and reciprocal relations across 3 years

This article reports the results of a 33-wave longitudinal study of changes in, and reciprocal relations between, workplace digitalization and workload. Monthly data were collected between April 2020 and December 2022 from n = 1661 employees in Germany. Based on theoretical models of workplace information and communication technology use, stress, and coping, we hypothesized both positive and negative within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and vice versa. Results of an autoregressive latent trajectory model with structured residuals (ALT-SR) showed on-average positive linear trajectories in digitalization, but not in workload over time. Moreover, higher digitalization was associated with subsequently higher levels of workload, and vice versa. This pattern of results suggests a dynamic, reciprocal process wherein positive deviations from one's average trajectory of digitalization (workload) are associated with subsequently higher levels of workload (digitalization). We additionally find evidence for linear trends in these within-person processes, suggesting that the strength of the within-person effects of digitalization on workload, and of workload on digitalization, becomes more strongly positive over time. Practitioners developing work design interventions could focus on ways to reduce the detrimental impact of digitalization on increased workload, while simultaneously encouraging the potential of digitalization to help employees cope effectively with their workload.

A Virtual Net Locks Me In: How and When Information and Communication Technology Use Intensity Leads to Knowledge Hiding

The research explores a novel phenomenon in which information and communication technology (ICT), which is originally designed for knowledge transferring, may result in employees' knowledge hiding due to increasing use intensity. Specifically, drawing upon the appraisal theory of empathy, we develop a moderated mediation model of empathy linking ICT use intensity and knowledge hiding. The hypothesized model is tested by conducting a scenario-based experimental study (Study 1, N = 194) and a multi-wave field study (Study 2, N = 350). Results show that ICT use intensity is positively related to employees' knowledge hiding through the mediating role of their empathy. Moreover, competitive goal interdependence strengthens the negative relationship between ICT use intensity and employees' empathy, and the indirect positive effect between ICT use intensity and employees' knowledge hiding. Overall, the research answers the questions of how and when ICT use intensity may influence employees' knowledge hiding. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10551-022-05245-4.

The Impact of Airline's Smart Work System on Job Performance of Cabin Crew

Extant studies in medical and educational fields have demonstrated that employees' device use (smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.) can enhance job performance. Correspondingly, global airline companies have made substantial investments to enhance passenger services. An earlier study examined the impact of flight attendants' technology usage on job satisfaction by investigating the causal relationship between the benefits of tablet PC use, job performance, and its consequences. Based on the literature review, four advantages of technology use were derived: (1) efficiency, (2) convenience, (3) service effectiveness, and (4) pride. Additionally, three consequences of job satisfaction were derived: (1) team performance, (2) organizational commitment, and (3) turnover intention. Empirical data were collected from 208 flight attendants working for a South Korean airline, which provided tablet PCs for its employees. Data analysis revealed that work efficiency, convenience, and pride had a significant and positive impact on job satisfaction. However, flight preparation did not show a similar impact. This study is the first to investigate the benefits of using technology in the airline industry. Furthermore, it examined the convergence of airline management and information technology. The findings provide managerial implications for airline companies that are considering providing tablet PCs to flight attendants.

Toxic Leadership Behaviour of Nurse Managers on Perceived Job Satisfaction and Productivity of Nursing Workforce in Sub-Saharan Ghana: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

This study aimed at assessing the nature and effect of toxic leadership of nurse managers on the perceived job satisfaction and productivity of the nursing workforce.

BACKGROUND

Nursing job outcomes such as job satisfaction and nurses' productivity are influenced by various factors in the nursing practice environment including leadership. Due to rising healthcare expenses and depleting material resources, the productivity of nurses which is expected to improve the efficiency of healthcare organizations is mostly low. Managers' toxic behaviour toward nurses affects their job satisfaction and subsequently low productivity.

METHOD

A multi-centre, cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Validated tools were used to collect data from participants and data was analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and hierarchical linear regressions.

RESULTS

Registered nurses appraised the leadership behaviour of nurse managers to be toxic, with most managers exhibiting narcissistic leadership behaviour. While all components of toxic leadership behaviour of managers were associated with the perceived productivity of the nurses; intemperate leadership behaviour of the managers (β = -.301, p <.005), and job satisfaction (β = .296, p < .001) significantly predicted perceived productivity among nurses (R² = .238, F _{(7, 922)} = 41.088, p< .001).

CONCLUSION

Nurse managers' leadership behaviours were toxic. Nurses' job satisfaction and all components of managers' toxic leadership behaviour influenced productivity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

There should be a policy developed to guide the creation and maintenance of efficient nursing leadership to enhance job satisfaction and productivity among nurses.

Unmet informatics needs of nurses regarding the use of personal smartphones in the workplace

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the differences in practices, policies, and perceptions of nurses regarding work-related utilization of smartphones in acute-care settings.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices utilizing emerging technology are widely used in acute-care settings; however, concerns such as potential distraction, improper use, and negative impact on the nursing image in clinical practice remain valid.

METHODS

Nurse managers (n = 8) and nurses (n = 181) were enrolled from eight academic tertiary hospitals that have comprehensive electronic medical record systems and mobile versions. Between October 2018 and February 2019, participants completed a questionnaire designed to explore their use of smartphones. The reporting guide for self-administered surveys of clinicians was applied.

RESULTS

Approximately 80% of nurses carried personal smartphones while working, with 70% using their devices for work. The prevalence of work-related smartphone use ranged from 3% to 43% by functionality, which was lower than that estimated by managers. Frequent uses included taking pictures/videos and internet browsing. Nurses were more positive than managers about the benefits of smartphone use and less burdened by related concerns. Novice and junior nurses were more optimistic than senior nurses. Only one hospital had a policy on nurses' use of personal devices at work.

CONCLUSION

Two unmet needs in the current clinical information system were identified: information supporting task-related knowledge at the bedside and security of data capture and communication.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING POLICY

The unintended perception gaps between nurses and managers regarding work-related smartphone use can be closed by nursing leadership. Unmet nursing informatics, particularly for information-seeking purposes, can be addressed in the context of quality assurance. Nurse leaders can advocate secure and proper use of smartphones in clinical practice.

The Influence of Situational Constraints on Consumers’ Evaluation and Use of Online Reviews: A Heuristic-Systematic Model Perspective

Online reviews help consumers make informed product choices by serving as a valuable source of information for a buying decision. However, consumer’s situational constraints such as time pressure or purchase uncertainty negatively impact the way in which buyers evaluate and use online reviews, reducing their effectiveness. This study examines the influence of situational constraints, namely perceived time pressure and purchase uncertainty, on consumers’ evaluation and use of online reviews for information search. This empirical study used an online survey to collect data from 560 Amazon Mechanical Turk users. Findings indicate that both perceived time pressure and perceived purchase uncertainty are positively associated with heuristic processing of online reviews but negatively associated with systematic processing of online reviews. Moreover, while both heuristic and systematic information processing increased buyers’ self-confidence in their purchase decisions, systematic processing led to greater buyer self-confidence than did heuristic processing. This study concludes with a discussion of practical and academic implications, as well as future research directions.

Analysing Touchscreen Gestures: A Study Based on Individuals with Down Syndrome Centred on Design for All

There has been a conscious shift towards developing increasingly inclusive applications. However, despite this fact, most research has focused on supporting those with visual or hearing impairments and less attention has been paid to cognitive impairments. The purpose of this study is to analyse touch gestures used for touchscreens and identify which gestures are suitable for individuals living with Down syndrome (DS) or other forms of physical or cognitive impairments. With this information, app developers can satisfy Design for All (DfA) requirements by selecting adequate gestures from existing lists of gesture sets. Twenty touch gestures were defined for this study and a sample group containing eighteen individuals with Down syndrome was used. A tool was developed to measure the performance of touch gestures and participants were asked to perform simple tasks that involved the repeated use of these twenty gestures. Three variables are analysed to establish whether they influence the success rates or completion times of gestures, as they could have a collateral effect on the skill with which gestures are performed. These variables are Gender, Type of Down syndrome, and Socioeconomic Status. Analysis reveals that significant difference is present when a pairwise comparison is performed, meaning individuals with DS cannot perform all gestures with the same ease. The variables Gender and Socioeconomic Status do not influence success rates or completion times, but Type of DS does.

Policy recommendations on nurses' use of smartphones in the Philippines

BACKGROUND

One key technology that has a significant implication on how nurses communicate and share information is the mobile phone, particularly the smartphone. However, its use for clinical work should be regulated by policies to minimize risks and maximize benefits.

OBJECTIVE

To present policy recommendations on nurses' use of smartphones that are applicable in the context of clinical work in the Philippines.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The policy recommendations were developed by synthesizing findings of a mixed-method research on nurses' use of smartphones in the Philippines conducted from January to July 2017.

RESULTS

The four policy recommendations are: (1) improving existing technologies to reduce smartphone usage, (2) providing adequate unit phones and service credits, (3) implementing realistic policies, and (4) educating nurses on the implications of using smartphones at work.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Although these recommendations might not be ideal considering that smartphone use also presents drawbacks, a pragmatic decision to allow nurses to use it for communication and information seeking purposes can help enhance the quality of care given to patients and nurses' work productivity in settings with scarce manpower and technology. Nonetheless, hospitals should find these recommendations as a temporary solution, and they should strive to come up with a long-term solution of providing nurses with appropriate technologies to facilitate clinical work.

Private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure among hospital nurses: The moderating role of mobile phone presence

AIM

To examine whether the presence of a mobile phone has a moderating role in the relationship between nurses' private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional quantitative study using self-report questionnaires.

METHODS

Data were collected between December 2019 - January 2020. In total, 849 Registered Nurses from three Belgian hospitals completed the online survey. Data were analysed with hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope tests.

RESULTS

Overall, the positive relationship between private life telepressure and workplace cognitive failure was moderated by mobile phone presence. Specifically, the experience of private life telepressure did only relate to higher workplace cognitive failure when nurses kept their mobile phone nearby (i.e. in their pockets). Additional exploratory analyses revealed that this moderation effect only held among nurses in young adulthood and regardless of the notification settings of their mobile phone.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings indicate the unintended risk of mobile phone presence at work as it relates to higher workplace cognitive failure in nurses who experience private life telepressure. Ensuring there are clear organizational policies and practises in place to store away personal belongings of healthcare personnel during work hours would therefore seem beneficial for hospitals.

IMPACT

Considering the increased presence of mobile phones nowadays, a more detailed understanding is necessary on how these devices might distract personnel in a healthcare setting. The present study gives further insight into this topic and shows that in particular nurses in young adulthood who experience telepressure towards personal messages report more cognitive failure when their personal mobile phones are present, even when they do not actually use these devices. This furnishes additional evidence in support of hospitals' formal policy to forbid personal mobile phones of healthcare personnel when at work.

Assessing potential effects of daily cross-domain usage of information and communication technologies

A within-person diary research design with 39 full-time workers was used to examine the effects of daily cross-domain usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on job-related performance and stress in both workplace and home domains. Segmentation preference effects on links between cross-domain ICT usage and both job performance and job stress were also analyzed. A positive association was found for the first relationship in mixed home-workplace contexts, and a negative association for the second in home contexts only. A stronger segmentation preference effect on the negative relationship between cross-domain ICT usage and job stress was found for integrators (employees who integrate work and home domains) compared to separators (employees who separate work/non-work activities). Our findings suggest that daily cross-domain ICT usage can enhance job performance and reduce job stress, with a moderating effect of segmentation preference on the link between cross-domain ICT usage and job stress.

Factors influencing internet usage for health purposes

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to analyse the simultaneous effect of intention, attitude, knowledge, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, facility access, perceived Internet health information, hedonic motivation, utilitarian motivation, and perceived threat of non-communicable diseases (NCD) on Internet usage for health purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data were collected through a survey. The respondents of the survey are 369 Jakarta residents. Multiple regression analysis was conducted.

Findings

Internet usage for health purposes is significantly affected by intention, knowledge, descriptive norm, and the perceived threat of NCD. Internet usage for health purposes is not influenced by attitude, facility access, perceived Internet health information, hedonic and utilitarian motivation.

Research limitations/implications

This research was conducted only in Jakarta. It also employed a purposive sampling technique. Future research should be conducted in other locations and used a probability sampling technique.

Practical implications

To improve the level of Internet usage for health purposes, it is essential to increase the public’s intention to use the Internet for health purposes, their knowledge on Internet usage for health purposes, and their awareness of the dangers of NCD. It is also important to persuade the community influential leaders/persons to use the Internet for health purposes.

Originality/value

This study is the first to develop and test an Internet usage for health purposes model that involves intention, attitude, knowledge, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, facility access, perceived Internet health information, hedonic motivation, utilitarian motivation, and perceived threat of NCD.

Influence of Organizational Issues on Nurse Administrators' Support to Staff Nurses' Use of Smartphones for Work Purposes in the Philippines: Focus Group Study

Background

Studies show that nurses use their own smartphones for work purposes, and there are several organizational issues related to this. However, it is unclear what these organizational issues are in the Philippines and the influence they have on nurse administrators’ (ie, superiors) support to staff nurses’ (ie, subordinates) use of smartphones for work purposes.

Objective

Drawing from the Organizational Support Theory (OST), this study aimed to identify organizational issues that influence nurse administrators’ support to staff nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes.

Methods

Between June and July 2017, 9 focus groups with 43 nurse administrators (ie, head nurses, nurse supervisors, and nurse managers) were conducted in 9 tertiary-level general hospitals in Metro Manila, the Philippines. Drawing from OST, issues were classified as those that encouraged or inhibited nurse administrators to support nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes.

Results

Nurse administrators were encouraged to support nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes when (1) personal smartphones are superior to workplace technologies, (2) personal smartphones resolve unit phone problems, and (3) policy is unrealistic to implement. Conversely, issues that inhibited nurse administrators to support nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes include (1) smartphone use for nonwork purposes and (2) misinterpretation by patients.

Conclusions

Nurse administrators in the Philippines faced several organizational issues that encouraged or inhibited support to staff nurses’ use of smartphones for work purposes. Following OST, the extent of their support can influence staff nurses’ perceived organizational support on the use of smartphones for work purposes, Overall, the findings highlight the role and implication of organizational support in the context of smartphone consumerization in hospital settings, especially in developing countries.

Use of smartphone and perception towards the usefulness and practicality of its medical applications among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia

Background

In Saudi Arabia, healthcare industry is undergoing major expansions to meet the demand of rapidly growing healthcare needs. The aims of this study were; (1) to assess the pattern of smartphone use in healthcare facilities, and (2) to determine perception towards its use among healthcare workers.

Method

A cross-sectional survey of 351 healthcare workers (HCWs) at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was conducted, from October to November 2016, using a previously validated perception domain to measure perception towards usefulness (5 statements) and practicality (5 statements) of smartphones in clinical settings. Pattern of use of smartphones and health-related applications in healthcare facilities was also investigated. Logestic regression models were applied to identify the predictors of smartphone use and installation of health-related applications for use in healthcare facilities. Significance was considered at p-value of < 0.05.

Results

Utilization rate of smartphone was 42.3%, and only 6.1% of all healthcare providers reported always using applications in their practice. Reasons for use were: as a source of drug information (69.8%), for disease diagnosis (56.4%), to access medical websites (42.5%), to review guidelines and protocols related to healthcare (34.1%), for procedure documentation (23.5%), and as a source of patients education materials (22.3%). Perceptions of HCWs towards smartphone use was less than satisfactory (Overall percentage mean score = 60.4 ± 18.7), with only 11.6% reporting positive perception. After adjusting for possible confounders, the total perception mean score was a significant predictor of both smartphone use (β = 0.033, p < 0.001) and medical applications installation (β = 0.033, p < 0.001). Installation of medical applications was also predicted by being a physician (β = 0.008, p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Smartphone utilization in healthcare facilities by HCWs in Saudi Arabia is low. This could be attributed to their less than satisfactory level of perception towards its use. Smartphone use and installation of medical applications for use in health facilities were predicted by perceived usefulness and practicality of its use. Intervention from higher health authorities is necessary to enforce the importance of smartphone use in clinical practice. Conduction of further studies on the impact of smart phone use on the healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia is recommended.

Design and evaluation of the bed-cleaning mobile application

AIM

To develop a mobile application (App) that enhances bed-cleaning management.

BACKGROUND

Bed cleaning affects clinical work in hospitals. The nursing department needed an App to enhance bed-cleaning management, especially one on the status of all beds to be cleaned.

METHODS

Bed-Cleaning App (BedCApp) was developed. Then, a survey was administered to 50 BedCApp users.

RESULTS

BedCApp helped the administrative staff and nurse managers in adjusting their workload effectively. A complete presentation of beds to be cleaned and reminders were found to be the most satisfactory features. The average time from receiving the notice to completing bed cleaning was shortened by 25.5 min. The user satisfaction survey comprised 50 valid questionnaires, with a satisfaction rate of 3.6/5.

CONCLUSION

BedCApp provides the actual workload status; therefore, the administrative staff and nurse managers can optimize the workload during rush hours. The software is user-oriented, with good user acceptance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Proactive workload management would improve outcomes during rush hours and avoid interference in clinical care. The user interfaces for the elderly staff has special design-simple to use, larger font size than that in the interface for non-elderly staff and workflow reminders.

Gateless communication: A concept analysis

The movement toward the use of electronic technologies in everyday life has also impacted healthcare. Patient portals allow patients to send messages to their healthcare team from the comfort of their own homes and even on mobile devices. With responses typically sent within 24 business hours, some patients are looking for more timely feedback to their health questions. This is true in behavioral health, where real-time communication between psychologist-patient is valued. It is not uncommon for psychiatric providers including psychiatrists and nurse practitioners to provide personal cell phone numbers or secure-texting services to their patients. The real-time texting that occurs between patients and providers is emerging as a new way in which information is shared. A literature review in PubMed and CINAHL revealed a plethora of research conducted on information exchanged via the patient portal; however, there appears to be a gap in the information known about direct patient-provider communication that utilizes other types of technology. This concept analysis looks at this type of communication and proposes that a new concept be developed to perform future research studies. "Gateless communication" will be explored using a previous paper eight-step method for conceptualizing this new concept.

Explicating Perceived Sustainability-Related Climate: A Situational Motivator of Pro-Environmental Behavior

Individuals take cues from their surroundings when deciding whether to perform pro-environmental behaviors. Previous studies have acknowledged the role of structural, policy, and communication efforts to encourage pro-environmental behavior. Such studies demonstrate the importance of evaluating the external contexts when examining behaviors. Yet, there is a lack of explication of what external context is entailed. Expanding the concept of perceived sustainability-related climate (PSRC) used in organizational communication literature, this study proposes two dimensions that shape PSRC in the workplace—structural cues and social cues. The study then generalizes PSRC such that it is applicable in contexts beyond the workplace and proposes a 10-item scale to measure PSRC. Using confirmatory factor analysis, this study tests the factor structure and concurrent validity of the concept. The study also tests convergent validity of PSRC with social norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitudes.

Psychometric evaluation of the Smartphone for Clinical Work Scale to measure nurses' use of smartphones for work purposes

Objective

This study reports the development and psychometric evaluation of the Smartphone for Clinical Work Scale (SCWS) to measure nurses' use of smartphones for work purposes.

Methods

Items were developed based on literature review and a preliminary study. After expert consultations and pilot testing, a 20-item scale was administered in January-June 2017 to 517 staff nurses from 19 tertiary-level general hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate construct validity. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the predictive validity of SCWS on perceived work productivity.

Results

EFA results show that 15 out of 20 items loaded on five factors: communication with clinicians via call and text, communication with doctors via instant messaging, information seeking, communication with nurses via instant messaging, and communication with patients via call and text. CFA results suggest that the five factors that form SCWS have adequate fit to the data, thus supporting construct validity. SEM results suggest predictive validity since SCWS was positively associated with perceived work productivity.

Conclusions

The 15-item SCWS showed satisfactory psychometric properties for use in future studies. These studies can focus on identifying factors associated with nurses' use of smartphones for work purposes.