Use of electronic information systems in nursing management.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to describe nurse managers' perceptions of the use of electronic information systems in their daily work. Several kinds of software are used for administrative and information management purposes in health care organizations, but the issue has been studied less from nurse managers' perspective.


METHODS
The material for this qualitative study was acquired according to the principles of focus group interview. Altogether eight focus groups were held with 48 nurse managers from both primary and specialized health care organizations. The nurse managers were asked in focus groups to describe the use of information systems in their daily work in addition to some other themes. The material was analyzed by inductive content analysis using ATLAS.ti computer program.


RESULTS
The main category "pros and cons of using information systems in nursing management" summarized the nurse managers' perceptions of using electronic information systems. The main category consisted of three sub-categories: (1) nurse managers' perceptions of the use of information technology; (2) usability of management information systems; (3) development of personnel competencies and work processes.


CONCLUSIONS
The nurse managers made several comments on the implementation of immature electronic information systems which caused inefficiencies in working processes. However, they considered electronic information systems to be essential elements of their daily work. Furthermore, the nurse managers' descriptions of the pros and cons of using information systems reflected partly the shortcomings of strategic management and lack of coordination in health care organizations.
Lammintakanen
Johanna
J
Department of Health and Social Management, University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio campus), PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. johanna.lammintakanen@uku.fi
Saranto
Kaija
K
Kivinen
Tuula
T
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration*