Critical role of information and communication technology in nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Mobile robots for isolation-room hospital settings: A scenario-based preliminary study

Isolated patients pose physical challenges to medical staff owing to the need for protective gear. Additionally, communication issues arise within isolation rooms, hampering patient care. Mobile robots offer potential solutions, allowing for contactless communication and efficient task delegation, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination and minimizing staff workload. This preliminary study assessed the usability, acceptability, and potential for improvement of mobile robots in clinical nursing scenarios, focusing on nurses' perspectives. A preliminary test was conducted using mobile robots in a simulated hospital environment with 30 experienced nurses responsible for isolated patient care. Data were collected through interviews, surveys, and scenario-based tasks. Two scenarios were designed to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of mobile robots in real-world nursing situations. Nurses regarded mobile robots as highly usable and useful in healthcare settings. Robots efficiently handled tasks like remote supply delivery and medication distribution. Nurses recognized the potential for improved communication and efficiency with mobile robots; however, concerns were raised about the robots' limitations in providing emotional support and potential safety issues during emergencies. This research emphasizes the promising role of mobile robots in enhancing healthcare delivery within isolation rooms. While these findings indicate the potential for mobile robots, careful planning, training, and scenario development are crucial for their safe and effective integration into clinical settings. Further research, tailored scenarios, and a reevaluation of the evolving role of nurses in a technology-augmented healthcare environment are necessary, emphasizing the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of robotic assistance in patient care.

The relationship between job crafting and work engagement among nurses in China: A latent profile analysis

AIM

To identify subtypes of job crafting among Chinese nurses and to explore the characteristics of different subtypes and their relationship with work engagement.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A survey of 350 clinical nurses was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. Identify profile categories for nurses' job crafting using a latent profile analysis. Logistic regression and ANOVA were used to explore the characteristics of different categories of nurses' job crafting in terms of sociodemographic, work engagement variables.

RESULTS

Ultimately 3 latent profiles are identified: low job crafting (Class 1, N = 177, 50.7%), moderate job crafting (Class 2, N = 136, 38.9%), high job crafting (Class 3, N = 37, 10.5%). Nurses who are female, aged 31 to 40 and married are more likely to be grouped into Class 2. Nurses with a middle level of title are more likely to be grouped as Class 3. Nurses with high levels of work engagement are more likely to be grouped as Class 2 and Class 3 rather than Class 1.

CONCLUSION

The job crafting has a distinctly classified character among Chinese nurses. 89.6% of nurses were at a low to medium level of job crafting, work engagement is an important predictor of nurses' job crafting. Nursing Managers should focus on the low job crafting group and develop targeted interventions to help nurses improve their job crafting and work engagement levels.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

None.

A Bedside Electronic Whiteboard System for Patient Care in Isolation Rooms: A Scenario-Based Preliminary Study

AIM

To assess a commercially available electronic whiteboard's usability and acceptability in isolation rooms, focusing on improving nurse-patient communication and supporting data input.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative mixed methods.

METHODS

We evaluated the usability and acceptability of electronic whiteboards among nurses using scenarios in a virtual isolation room environment.

RESULTS

Nurses recognised the electronic whiteboard as a valuable tool for communication and error reductions in record-keeping but noted a learning curve for less tech-savvy users. Positive correlations were found between perceived usefulness, ease of use and adoption intent. Despite challenges, electronic whiteboards show promise for enhancing patient care, requiring comprehensive training and management systems. Time allocation in patient wards and nurse-patient interactions are crucial considerations.

CONCLUSION

Electronic whiteboards have usability and acceptability as a tool to improve nurse-patient communication. However, considering technical issues and staff resistance, a management system and user training are necessary.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Nurses perceive electronic whiteboards as user-friendly and as facilitating data input.

REPORTING METHOD

TREND (Nonrandomised evaluations of behavioural and public health interventions).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Nurses' perspectives on ethical aspects of telemedicine. A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Changes in health needs led to an increase in virtual care practices such as telemedicine. Nursing plays an essential role in this practice as it is the key to accessing the healthcare system. It is important that this branch of nursing is developed considering all the ethical aspects of nursing care, and not just the legal concepts of the practice. However, this question has not been widely explored in the literature and it is of crucial relevance in the new concept of care.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the ethical aspects of the development of telemedicine from a nursing practice perspective.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework. The search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE and CINAHL databases, from 2012 to 2022. A total of 1322 articles were retrieved, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The research was conducted in accordance with the best scientific practices.

FINDINGS

The most relevant aspects were the safety of the patient, the benefits for the user and the digital competence of the professionals. Informed consent and patient's willingness to use new technologies were relevant to the practice, as was person-centered care and how telemedicine can influence the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Another relevant issue was the concern about professional competence for optimal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to further explore and develop the ethical aspects of the new practices, disassociating them from the legal aspects only. Professionals demand more training providing them with more competence and confidence.

Artificial intelligence in future nursing care: Exploring perspectives of nursing professionals - A descriptive qualitative study

Background

The healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a transformative force. In this context, understanding the viewpoints of nursing professionals regarding the integration of AI in future nursing care is crucial.

Aims

This study aimed to provide insights into the perceptions of nursing professionals regarding the role of AI in shaping the future of healthcare.

Methods

A cohort of 23 nursing professionals was recruited between April 7, 2023, and May 4, 2023, for this study. Employing a thematic analysis approach, qualitative data from interviews with nursing professionals were analyzed. Verbatim transcripts underwent rigorous coding, and these codes were organized into themes through constant comparative analysis. The themes were refined and developed through the grouping of related codes, ensuring an authentic representation of participants' viewpoints.

Results

After careful data analysis, ten key themes emerged including: (I) Perceptions of AI readiness; (II) Benefits and concerns; (III) Enhanced patient outcomes; (IV) Collaboration and workflow; (V) Human-tech balance: (VI) Training and skill development; (VII) Ethical and legal considerations; (VIII) AI implementation barriers; (IX) Patient-nurse relationships; (X) Future vision and adaptation.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into nursing professionals' perspectives on the integration of AI in future nursing care. It highlights their enthusiasm for AI's potential benefits while emphasizing the importance of ethical and compassionate nursing practice. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive training programs to equip nursing professionals with the skills necessary for successful AI integration. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of AI in nursing, paving the way for a future where innovative technologies complement and enhance the delivery of patient-centered care.

The mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health problems: a cross-sectional study among nurses

Fear of being infected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could trigger mental health problems among nurses at the frontline. In such a situation, coping strategies are needed to deal with the imminent threat. The purpose of this study was to test the mediating effects of coping on relationships of fear of COVID-19 with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic syndrome among nurses who were in contact with COVID-19 patients. A cross-sectional and correlational research design was used to recruit a sample of 278 nurses who treated COVID-19 patients in four government referral hospitals in Indonesia. A bootstrap resampling procedure was used to test the significance of the total and specific indirect effects of coping on relationships of Fear of COVID-19 with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic syndrome. The nurses reported moderate levels of fear of COVID-19, considerable anxiety and depression, and a moderate level of coping. We found coping to be significantly negatively correlated with the reported levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic syndrome (p < 0.001). Coping mediated relationships of fear of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and post-traumatic syndrome after controlling for relevant confounders for each dependent variable. This shows that enacting coping mechanisms is important to achieve an adaptive effect on nurses' mental health. Proper assessments and interventions should be tailored and implemented for nurses who have contact with COVID-19 patients to facilitate their use of coping strategies when needed in stressful situations.

Survey of Teleneurology Use by Neurologists in a Low-Middle Income Country

Background Teleneurology has been in existence for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated its widespread usage. Neurological conditions are a leading cause of death globally, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the bulk of the burden. Nigeria has few trained neurologists with the few available concentrated in an urban region. The adoption of teleneurology will help close this treatment gap. Despite evidence of its advantage, the adoption and state of teleneurology in Nigeria are very low. This study aims to determine the state and perception of teleneurology in the care of neurological patients in Nigeria and identify challenges to its wide usage. Methods The primary research method was a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 48 neurologists in Nigeria across the six geo-political zones of the country. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to summarize and present the results. Results A total of 48 neurologists participated, of which 46 (95.8%) specialized in general neurology. Videoconferencing is the most preferred means of telemedicine (24, 50%), followed by phone calls (16, 33.3%) and short messages (6, 12.5%). Three-quarters of the respondents are concerned about legal actions from telemedicine use. The majority (34, 70.9%) are not familiar with telemedicine tools, and 40 (83.3%) indicate low telemedicine seminar attendance. More than 90% (46) of neurologists believe that it is a viable approach and can save time and money. Barriers to telemedicine included the lack of incentive to use the technology (38, 79.2%), poor Internet connectivity (36, 75%), and the lack of exposure to telemedicine (36, 75%). Conclusions It is important to overcome the existing barrier to teleneurology in order to fully harness its potential in addressing the shortage of health professionals in Nigeria as most neurologists are open to using it.

Ethical problems in nursing teleconsultations for people living with HIV during the Covid-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

to understand the ethical problems experienced by primary health care nurses in using nursing teleconsultations for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus during the coronavirus pandemic.

METHODS

qualitative research, anchored in Constructivist Grounded Theory. Data was collected between July and September 2020, with 17 participants.

RESULTS

the first category highlights the ethical problems in conducting teleconsultations, managing high demand, communication barriers, and risks related to data security. The second emphasizes the potential of teleconsultations in communication and access, by generating changes in the work process and the use of protocols to guide clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

nurses' work in digital mode requires professional qualification, with a view to stimulating reflection on teleconsultation practice, ethical-moral deliberation and combating stigma, and also adopting data security-centered conduct.

Factors associated with the perceptions of eHealth technology of Chinese nurses and nursing students

AIM

The current study sought to assess the perceptions of eHealth technology of nurses and nursing students in China and to examine the association between these perceptions and demographic factors.

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing use of eHealth technologies in China and across the globe, the perceptions of practicing and student nurses remain minimally explored. Findings from such an inquiry can potentially inform actions and policies to improve the uptake of eHealth technologies among Chinese nurses.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study with a real-time online survey.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 1338 nurses and nursing students from Mainland China participated in the study. Their perceptions of eHealth technology were collected using the Chinese version of the Perceptions of eHealth Technology Scale. The Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between demographic variables (age group, gender, occupation, education level, position and clinical experience) and perceptions of eHealth technology. All study procedures adhered to the STROBE guidelines.

RESULTS

Most participants were aged between 20 and 29 (55.8%). Nearly half (42.5%) were frontline clinical nursing staff, some were nursing students (36.2%), academic nursing staff (12.3%) and clinical nursing management staff (9.0%). Regardless of the differences in their demographic characteristics, the participants had higher mean scores in "Perception of eHealth applications" and lower mean scores in "Knowledge of eHealth technology". Participants with doctoral degree had a higher mean total score and higher sub-scale scores in knowledge of eHealth technology, perception of the advantages of eHealth technology and perception of eHealth applications; and the lowest scores in perception of the disadvantages of eHealth technology and perception of eHealth applications. Occupation, position and clinical experience were found to be the demographic characteristics associated with eHealth perceptions, before adjusting for age and gender. Education level was associated with eHealth perceptions regardless of adjustment.

CONCLUSION

Overall, participants had higher scores on perceptions of eHealth applications but lower scores on knowledge of eHealth technology. Considering the association between education and all subscales and overall scores, it may be essential to implement continuing professional education for nurses to improve their knowledge of eHealth applications. Encouragement to use available eHealth digital technologies may also be helpful to improve perceptions of eHealth.