Installing computers in older adults' homes and teaching them to access a patient education web site: a systematic approach.
This article describes the experiences of nurses who, as part of a large clinical trial, brought the Internet into older adults' homes by installing a computer, if needed, and connecting to a patient education Web site. Most of these patients had not previously used the Internet and were taught even basic computer skills when necessary. Because of increasing use of the Internet in patient education, assessment, and home monitoring, nurses in various roles currently connect with patients to monitor their progress, teach about medications, and answer questions about appointments and treatments. Thus, nurses find themselves playing the role of technology managers for patients with home-based Internet connections. This article provides step-by-step procedures for computer installation and training in the form of protocols, checklists, and patient user guides. By following these procedures, nurses can install computers, arrange Internet access, teach and connect to their patients, and prepare themselves to install future generations of technological devices.
Dauz
Emily
E
School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City 66160, USA.
Moore
Jan
J
Smith
Carol E
CE
Puno
Florence
F
Schaag
Helen
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003200:Computer User Training / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials