Changes in the workplace with telemedicine.
The opinions of 110 emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) practising telemedicine in 11 British minor injury units were sought using a questionnaire. There were 90 respondents (82%). The respondents thought that, since telemedicine had been introduced, they had become more open to change (96%) and more ready to grasp opportunities (93%). They considered that they were more keen to learn new things (99%) and were better disposed to teaching others (90%). They adopted a more advisory and supportive role (80%), found the work environment more varied (83%) and were well disposed to teamwork (64%). The power balance with doctors had changed (86%) and doctors indulged in dialogue rather than direction (69%). The results suggest that although changes have started in the workplace, they have not been as dramatic as a previous study of patients had predicted.
Tachakra
S
S
Accident and Emergency Services, North West London Hospitals Trust, Central Middlesex Hospital, Acton Lane, London NW10 7NS, UK. Sapal.Tachakra@tinyworld.co.uk
El Habashy
A
A
Dawood
M
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom; D017132:Workplace; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy