Use and Perceptions of Information and Communication Technologies Among Ecuadorian Nurses: A Cross-sectional Study

Ivan Chérrez-Ojeda,Valeria L Mata,Daniel Simancas-Racines,Emanuel Vanegas,Miguel Felix,Manuel Aguilar,Antonio Wd Gavilanes,Peter Chedraui,Carlos Vera

doi:10.2174/1874434602014010008

Abstract

Background:Nurses represent a key group for the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), however, few studies have explored the current use of these technologies among healthcare professionals in developing countries. Our study aims to achieve a better understanding of how Ecuadorian nurses perceive the theoretical advantages and limitations of ICTs, as well as to explore the current use of these technologies in the setting of the professional nursing practice.Methods:We conducted an anonymous survey-based cross-sectional study where 191 nurses rated their frequency of use and level of agreement to specific statements on perceptions related to ICTs. For the statistical analyses, adjusted binomial logistic regressions and the chi-squared test for association were applied.Results:In general, 96.3% of nurses reported the use of ICTs to communicate with colleagues, and 80.1% reported the use of ICTs to communicate with patients. More than 70% of participants agreed that ICTs can be useful to promote professional services, help in the search for new job opportunities and/or professional development, foster health promotion, and improve the workflow with colleagues. Meanwhile, 78.6% of nurses had privacy or security concerns about personal and/or patient information, and 60.6% reported not having enough time neither to learn how to use ICTs nor to use them.Conclusion:High use of ICTs was found among Ecuadorian nurses for communicating with both colleagues and patients. Most of the participants had a positive perception of the use of ICTs in the healthcare practice, particularly among younger nurses. Finally, the major reservations perceived were related to privacy and patient confidentiality, and lack of time to learn how to use, or use ICTs.

Highlights

A few years ago, the United Nations approved 17 “Sustainable Development Goals” in which decreased mortality from non-communicable diseases was an example concerning the objective of enhancing health and wellbeing [1]
Our study aims to achieve a better understanding of how Ecuadorian nurses perceive the theoretical advantages and limitations of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), as well as to explore the current use and interest of these technologies in the setting of the professional nursing practice
96.3% reported using ICTs to communicate with colleagues, and 80.1% to communicate with patients (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

A few years ago, the United Nations approved 17 “Sustainable Development Goals” in which decreased mortality from non-communicable diseases was an example concerning the objective of enhancing health and wellbeing [1]. There are other barriers commonly identified for the implementation of ICTs in the healthcare practice, such as concerns about privacy and patient confidentiality, and lack of time to train or use ICTs in the professional practice [7, 8, 11, 12]. These barriers could lead to the misuse of technology and potentially impact communication at the workplace. Nurses represent a key group for the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), few studies have explored the current use of these technologies among healthcare professionals in developing countries. Our study aims to achieve a better understanding of how Ecuadorian nurses perceive the theoretical advantages and limitations of ICTs, as well as to explore the current use of these technologies in the setting of the professional nursing practice

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion