Exploring faculty perceptions towards electronic health records for nursing education

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Nursing Education Technology

Background:

• Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly used in nursing education globally.
• Successful EHR implementation depends on both students and faculty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing faculty experiences with EHRs in nursing education software.
• To identify factors influencing the successful implementation of EHR technology.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploratory study using in-depth individual interviews.
• Conducted at a Singapore university with seven faculty members.
• Data collected and analyzed at the end of the 2012/2013 academic year.

Main Results:

• Faculty perceived EHRs as innovative, presenting both value and challenges.
• The use of EHR software was viewed as a transitional process.
• Integration required time, student and faculty engagement, and administrative support.

Conclusions:

• EHR integration in nursing curricula hinges on faculty experience and perception.
• Cultivating positive attitudes toward new technologies is essential for adoption.
• Health informatics competency should be integrated into faculty development programs.