Information and communication technology (ICT) use in child and family nursing: What do we know and where to now?

Abstract

Whilst the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in acute care services has been well documented, less is known about the impact of computerising community-based primary care such as child and family health nursing services. This self-complete survey of 606 nurses working in the Victorian Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service (response rate 60%) found that the predominately older workforce were confident with the use of ICT. This contrasts with findings from the acute sector where older nurses had lower ICT confidence. The survey revealed a variation in ICT support and a lack of data collection system compatibility. Professional education resources were not able to be effectively used in all locally supplied computers. Although maternal and child health nurses have adapted well to computerisation, there is room for improvement. Appropriate resourcing, education and infrastructure support are areas that need to be addressed and would benefit from an overarching body responsible for development and quality assurance.