Abstract
Networking provides access to countless opportunities for nurses and patients and allows them to communicate, interact and collaborate with each other in order to enhance nursing care practice and improve health. The ubiquity of information and communication technologies have the potential to improve access to both health information and services in health care. The authors aim for this study is to investigate the role of networking tools in shaping and improving nursing care practices. An integrative review was conducted and electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct and ACM Digital Library were searched for studies published between 1985 and 2015. Sixteen articles, based on the use of networking tools in nursing care practice, were included in the review. Data synthesis consists of writing descriptive summaries and thematic analysis of the key findings in the included articles. Different networking tools are currently used by nursing professionals for patient’s safety and well-being. These include information technology, telehealth nursing, IT and networking applications, social media networks, miscellaneous interaction networks, internet as a source of information and communication networks. Networking assist healthcare professionals with completing their daily tasks such as teaching patients, monitoring their health, tracking their blood pressure and much more. A variety of networking tools are available for managing chronic disease, diet, and lifestyle choices of patients. However, privacy, security and reliability of exchanged information is extremely important in improving the quality of patient care.
Highlights
Networking is defined as “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions” [1]
Gathering information and transforming it into useful knowledge require a great deal of collaboration, networking and focus on the community of practice (CoP) [2]
The author’s aim of this study is to investigate the role of networking in shaping and improving nursing care practices
Summary
Networking is defined as “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions” [1]. It describes interactions and communication activities between individuals, groups, communities and organizations operating in a variety of settings and contexts. Communities, organizations, and companies need to understand precisely what information and knowledge will give them a competitive advantage. They need to keep this knowledge, use it, share it and evolve it across the organization. Information and knowledge need to be managed, used, shared and evolved like a key asset. Gathering information and transforming it into useful knowledge require a great deal of collaboration, networking and focus on the community of practice (CoP) [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
