Understanding Nursing Informatics: A Survey of Nurses' Perception

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Health Informatics
• Medical Education

Background:

• Nursing informatics (NI) is crucial for modern healthcare delivery.
• Understanding nurses' knowledge of NI is essential for effective implementation.
• Limited data exists on NI awareness among nurses in mainland China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the understanding and knowledge of nursing informatics (NI) among nurses in China.
• To identify gaps in NI education and awareness within the nursing profession.
• To provide data for improving NI training programs for nurses.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among 124 nurses attending a management training program at West China Hospital.
• Data was collected using structured and open-ended questionnaires via a web portal.
• The survey took place between October 17-18, 2023, with 71 participants completing it.

Main Results:

• 70.4% of nurses were aware of NI, while 29.6% were unaware.
• Despite awareness, only one nurse provided an accurate definition of NI.
• A significant gap exists between recognizing the term and understanding its core concepts.

Conclusions:

• Senior nurses in mainland China demonstrate a limited understanding of nursing informatics.
• There is a clear need for enhanced and more comprehensive NI education for nurses.
• Improving NI knowledge is vital for leveraging technology in clinical practice and patient care.