Mills, Jane, Mcleod, Margaret, Francis, Karen, and Al-Motlaq Shutnawi, Mohammad (2013) Enhancing computer literacy and information retrieval skills: a rural and remote nursing and midwifery workforce study. In: Abstracts from the 12th National Rural Health Conference. p. 215. From: 12th National Rural Health Conference, 7-10 April 2013, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

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Abstract

Nurses and midwives, collectively, represent the largest workforce category in rural and remote areas of Australia. Maintaining currency of practice and attaining annual licensure with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) present challenges for individual nurses and midwives and for their health service managers. Engagement with information and communication technology, in order for geographically isolated clinicians to access ongoing education and training, is considered a useful strategy to address such challenges.

This paper presents a pre- and post-test study design, which examines the impact of an online continuing professional development (CPD) program on rural nurses and midwives. The aims of the program were to increase basic skill acquisition in the utilisation of common computer software, the use of the Internet, and the enhancement of email communication.

Findings from the study demonstrate that participants who complete a relevant CPD program gain confidence in the use of information and communication technology. Further, increased confidence leads to increased access to contemporary, reliable and important health care information on the Internet, in addition to clinicians adopting email as a regular method of communication.

Health care employers commonly assume employees are skilled users of information and communication technology. However, findings from this study contradict such assumptions. It is argued in the recommendations that health care employees should be given regular access to CPD programs designed to introduce them to information and communication technology. Developing knowledge and skills in this area has the potential to improve staff productivity, raise health care standards and improve patient outcomes.

Item ID:	35348
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2014 04:27
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1110 Nursing > 111099 Nursing not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920210 Nursing @ 100%
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