title: Australian nurses access and attitudes to information technology--a national survey.
abstract: Competencies by nurses in information technology (IT) are essential to health care in Australia yet data suggest deficiencies in access and use. A study commissioned by the Australian Government aimed to determine the extent of access and use and the barriers to the use of IT among nurses across Australia. A survey was distributed to 10,000 members of the Australian Nursing Federation with a 43% overall response rate. Fewer than 15% of nurses did not use computers as part of their work. The greatest use was for client records, patient pathology and radiology results and professional development. IT uptake in health is supported by nurses who are, however frustrated by limitations to access and software that is not fit for purpose. A lack of confidence in using IT was noted by many nurses. Fewer than 20% had received pre-registration training in any aspect of IT and only 30% post registration. In addition to training, high work load, numbers of computers and inadequate technical support were the major barriers to computer use.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Southern Queensland, University of Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia.
authors.forename: Desley
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hegney
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eley
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buikstra
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soar
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gilmore
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses