Who really makes the bed? Uncovering technologic dissonance in nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Technology in Healthcare
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Technologic dissonance arises from the incongruent integration of non-nursing technologies within healthcare settings.
• Current technology in nursing practice is not always designed for or by nursing, leading to functional mismatches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the concept of technologic dissonance in nursing practice.
• To explore the origins of technologic dissonance beyond the medical model, examining design and engineering influences.
• To propose a vision for technologic consonance in nursing.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of technologic dissonance.
• Tracing the influences of technology design and engineering philosophies on nursing practice.
• Examination of the role of the nurse in technology adoption and development.

Main Results:

• Technologic dissonance is prevalent due to the use of technologies not specifically designed for nursing environments.
• The roots of technologic dissonance lie in broader design and engineering principles, not solely within healthcare.
• Nursing technology requires a shift towards nurse-driven design and ownership.

Conclusions:

• Achieving technologic consonance is essential for optimizing technology's role in nursing.
• Nurses' active involvement in the design, engineering, ownership, and use of nursing technology can foster this consonance.
• Empowering nurses as agents of change in technology development can lead to more effective and congruent technological integration in healthcare.