Development of a Clinical Data Model Addressing the Nursing Focus "Anxiety": A Consensus Development Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Health Informatics
• Mental Health

Background:

• Anxiety is a prevalent human response, not limited to anxiety disorders.
• Nursing information systems lack evidence-based data models for the nursing focus on anxiety.
• Health information systems are crucial for quality care, patient safety, and effective care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve expert consensus on data for a clinical data model addressing the nursing focus of anxiety.
• To define the organization and interrelationships of data within this model.
• To establish an evidence-based clinical data model for nursing documentation of anxiety.

Main Methods:

• A panel of nurse experts from Portugal participated.
• A brainstorming session was conducted with eight experts.
• A modified electronic Delphi technique involved 59 and 54 participants in two rounds.

Main Results:

• Consensus was achieved on all data points presented to the experts.
• The agreed-upon data were incorporated into the clinical data model.
• The model is grounded in nursing theory and utilizes standardized nursing language.

Conclusions:

• The developed clinical data model provides a standardized approach to documenting anxiety in nursing.
• This evidence-based model is expected to enhance nursing documentation accuracy and consistency.
• Implementation of the model will contribute to improved nursing care for patients experiencing anxiety.