Attitudes to computers in a teaching hospital.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Medical Technology Adoption
• Human-Computer Interaction in Healthcare

Background:

• Successful computerization in hospitals requires positive staff attitudes.
• Ward staff (nurses, clerks, doctors) were expected to use new computer terminals.
• A pilot project was initiated to test computerization in ward areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify staff concerns and attitudes before introducing ward terminals.
• To evaluate the impact of interventions and training on staff attitudes.
• To assess the overall success of the pilot computerization project.

Main Methods:

• A study was designed to survey staff attitudes and concerns pre-implementation.
• Interventions and staff training were provided during the pilot trial.
• A post-trial questionnaire assessed project success and attitude changes.

Main Results:

• The pilot project introducing computer terminals to hospital wards was successful.
• Interventions and training positively influenced staff attitudes towards computerization.
• Staff engagement with ward terminals was a key factor in the project's success.

Conclusions:

• Positive staff attitudes are crucial for successful hospital computerization.
• Addressing concerns and providing adequate training enhances technology adoption.
• The pilot project's success supports full implementation across all ward areas.