Nurses' attitudes toward computerization in clinical practice in a British general hospital

Abstract

The growth of information technology systems associated with the organizational reforms of the British Health Service has given rise to a need to understand nurses' attitudes toward computerization. Several studies in the United States have identified various factors that influence nurses' computer-related attitudes but such studies in the United Kingdom are rare. This study sampled 208 nurses in a general hospital of approximately 500 beds, and measured their computer-related attitudes using Stronge and Brodt's questionnaire. Demographic data specifically related to the UK scene also were collected. Although nurses' computer-related attitudes generally were positive, significant differences were found in relation to age, length of service as a trained nurse, job title, type of nursing unit, and length of service at the study hospital. Brodt and Stronge also found significant differences related to length of time as a trained nurse and nursing unit, but not for length of service or age. Discussion of the study findings suggests that the UK scene is not dissimilar to that in the United States. However, comparison of findings with Brodt and Stronge's work raises some questions about trends in nurses' computer-related attitudes and about the usefulness of computer technology to professional nursing practices.