Connecting congregations: technology resources influence parish nurse practice.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health Communication Technology
• Congregational Health

Background:

• Parish nursing is a specialized practice integrating spiritual care with health promotion.
• The integration of technology in healthcare, particularly in community and faith-based settings, remains an area for exploration.
• Limited research exists on the impact of specific technology training on parish nurse professional practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the influence of health resource information education and web-based communication technology on parish nurse professional practice.
• To assess the impact of technology training on parish nurses' awareness, education, and applicability of technology in their practice.
• To measure changes in parish nurses' abilities and confidence in using technology for professional duties.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive pilot study involving five parish nurses from diverse denominations in Virginia.
• Participants received training on computer applications, accessing health information resources, and using communication technologies (webcam, chat software).
• Data collected through qualitative semistructured interviews and quantitative pre- and post-project surveys.

Main Results:

• Qualitative analysis indicated that participants perceived the project as beneficial for awareness, education, and practical application of technology.
• Quantitative surveys revealed significant improvements in nurses' abilities and confidence levels regarding technology use and application.
• The acquired knowledge and experience positively impacted parish nurse practice in communication, health education, and counseling.

Conclusions:

• Health resource information education coupled with web-based technology significantly enhances parish nurse professional practice.
• Technology integration boosts parish nurses' confidence and competence in utilizing digital tools for patient care and communication.
• This study underscores the value of targeted technology training for specialized nursing roles in congregational settings.