Stratifying Computer Literacy

Abstract

Institutions using a clinical information system which feeds an electronic medical record system must consider evaluation programs that measure the nurse's ability to use and understand the clinical data in the clinical information system. By measuring and tracking the nurse's level of computer literacy, training programs and system enhancements can be better designed. A well-designed system will lead to improved system acceptance and higher adoption rates. There is a need for a defined system implementation strategy that includes nursing staff assessment and system training formulated to fit the specific literacy levels of the majority users of the clinical information system, the nursing staff. Computer literacy in relation to the use of clinical information systems and electronic medical record adoption is the focus of this article. If a strategy based on Benner's novice to expert theory is implemented, computer literacy among frontline users could be assessed, and appropriate education and training programs can be developed. Ultimately, these programs would promote positive perception of the clinical information system, which would result in a better adoption rate of the electronic medical record.

The Influences of Computer System Success and Informatics Competencies on Organizational Impact in Nursing Environments

“…43,44 Therefore, NIC is considered a major determinant for successful clinical information systems, because nurses occupy the largest part of the healthcare workforce. For example, Turner 45 suggests that institutions adopting a clinical information system that feeds an electronic medical record system must consider evaluation programs that measure the nurse's ability to use and comprehend the clinical data in the clinical information system. In other words, nurses' achievements depend on whether they can make existing instruments work efficiently.…”

Digital capability: An essential nursing skill for proficiency in a post‐COVID‐19 world

“…Because digital technology has become ubiquitous globally, other terms also emerged to describe the concept. For instance, computer skills (Ala‐Mutka, 2011; Indeed.com, 2022), computer literacy (Campbell & McDowell, 2011; Harper College, 2022; Turner, 2010), digital literacy (Belshaw, 2012), digital skills (Ecorys UK, 2016), informatics/information literacy (Bond & Procter, 2009; Cambridge Dictionary, 2022; Hwang & Park, 2011), E‐literacy (Klecun et al., 2014; Liou et al., 2015) and IT/ICT skills (Bunker, 2010; MacLure, 2014). The ever‐evolving range of digital capabilities subsumes all these definitions (Bartlett‐Bragg, 2017) and more since then.…”

Cultural Diversity and Patient Safety

“…Kunz also wrote about the potential disadvantages of the EMR, including varying levels of computer proficiency. An article by Turner (2010) discussed evaluation programs that measure nurses' ability to comprehend and understand the new EMR. The research showed that these programs encourage optimistic perceptions of the new electronic systems and in return promote adaption.…”