Consumer-centered nursing with ICT: A futuristic viewpoint

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2006:122:425-9.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the views of health care and information technology professionals and patients about the future use and scenarios of information and communication technologies (ICT) in nursing practice. The perspective was set at the year 2010. The Delphi method was used, and the data were gathered during the years 2001 and 2002 with three Delphi rounds from a Finnish expert panel (N = 81). The experts consisted of clinical nurses, clinical nurse managers, nurse educators, professionals of development, research and information technology and patients. The data were gathered and analysed with qualitative and quantitative methods. The use of ICT was observed from the viewpoints of probability and desirability. The experts agreed more often about the desirability than the probability of the use of ICT. Three future nursing scenarios were outlined based on the results: nursing knowledge management and development, patient orientation and self-care, and technology vs. the human being. The scenarios will be take-off points for development in nursing practice and education.

MeSH terms

  • Delphi Technique
  • Finland
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Nursing Care*
  • Nursing Informatics*
  • Patient-Centered Care*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires