Point-of-care technology: preserving the caring environment

Driven by an urgent need to improve the safety and quality of care provided in our increasingly complex health care system, health information technology has taken a central role in the health care system. The technology used at the point of care undoubtedly changes the process of nurse and patient interactions. These technologies have the potential to improve patient care while helping clinicians harness the explosive knowledge growth accelerating us into the 21st century. However, both clinicians and patients experience frustration and negativity associated with our increased dependence on technology. How has our technology-rich environment influenced the caring behaviors identified as the core of nursing practice? This article will explore these issues, examine and discuss solutions offered in the scientific literature, and make suggestions for future research.