PhD student Mary Rose Gaughan published in Computers Informatics Nursing journal

In “Nurses' Experience and Perception of Technology Use in Practice: A Qualitative Study Using an Extended Technology Acceptance Model,” Gaughan provides insight into the factors identified as benefits and drawbacks of technology use by nurses and provides suggestions on improving technology based on challenges identified to improve patient outcomes.

Gaughan and her colleagues extended Holden's Technology Acceptance Model, which is designed to measure the adoption of new technology based on customer attitudes, and then applied it to describe nurses' perception of technology use in practice. A descriptive design and thematic analysis were used to evaluate participants' logged reflections of their experiences and suggestions for improvements of health information technology.

Findings indicate that nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of various types of technology (electronic health records, large databases, crowdsourcing and bio-surveillance) were positive. New subdomains emerged for job performance and efficiency, usefulness for public health, contribution to nursing science and better communication.

“These findings are very important to me because understanding nurses' perceptions of technology is anticipated to enhance care quality and possibly lead to improved outcomes,” Gaughan says. “Nurses' perceptions of the use and acceptance of technology are important as their view is associated with performance and may directly influence clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.” 

Gaughan co-authored the article with PhD alumna Misol Kwon, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor Eunhee Park, PhD, RN, APHN-BC, and Associate Professor Carla Jungquist, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN.