Overcoming the barriers to using information systems.
OBJECTIVE
To identify any barriers to the use of information technology by community nurses, such as poor access, insufficient time and a lack of appropriate skills.


METHODS
Literature review and questionnaire.


RESULTS
The study showed that a large majority of community nurses had access to IT. However, sharing facilities and varying clinical systems meant that, with the exception of e-mail, they made infrequent use of the applications provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite some access difficulties, community nurses have a positive attitude to IT and would like to receive more training.
Chan
Tom
T
Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust.
de Lusignan
Simon
S
Brew
Sarah
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003200:Computer User Training / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008838:Microcomputers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom