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Nursing Professionals' Roles in Terms of Communication with Patients Using Electronic Devices

Authors:
Marita Koivunen
Anne Niemi
Maija Hupli

Keywords: electronic communication; information technology; role relationship

Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to gain understanding of nursing professionals’ expectations of their roles in terms of communication with patients using electronic devices. A quantitative design was used in the study. The target group of the study comprised the nursing professionals who worked in outpatient clinics, appointments, or reception services within either special or primary health care in one hospital district in Finland. The data was collected by an electronic questionnaire developed for the study and was analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. The nursing professionals were asked to choose the two most important roles that they thought described their own role in terms of communication with patients using electronic devices. The alternatives given were: learner, advisor, collaborator, teacher and limit setter. The descriptions of the roles were developed in the researcher's (MK) earlier study. Most often the professionals chose the role of collaborator where they communicate with patients by electronic devices. The role of collaborator was chosen 102 times. The second most common choice was advisor, which was chosen 64 times, while the least popular choice was the role of limit setter. Patient-centered care and shared decision-making require that professionals collaborate actively with patients. The findings show that the members of nursing staff estimate their role to be that of collaborator and so they want to be partners in cooperation with patients. We can assume that nursing professionals are ready to utilize electronic devices in communication in concert with patients.

Pages: 186 to 190

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2014

Publication date: March 23, 2014

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4359

ISBN: 978-1-61208-327-8

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from March 23, 2014 to March 27, 2014