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Computer attitudes of nurses in a Singapore hospital
Author
Tan, Khoon Kiat
Supervisor
Chew, Lee Chin
Abstract
In nursing, the utilisation of computers at work can have an impact on both practice and care of patients. Notwithstanding, anxiety can lead to resistance in nurses' learning and use of computers. Besides, the use of computers may be perceived to be dehumanising, confusing and uncaring. Hence, some nurses distrust the appropriateness of computer technology as part of nursing and health care.
This research examined the computer attitudes of nurses in a Singapore hospital in terms of their anxiety towards computers and attitudes towards computerisation. Two survey instruments were used for this purpose. One was the Computer Anxiety Index (CAIN) and the other the Nurses' Attitudes Towards Computerisation Questionnaire (NATC).
Several past studies have been conducted using either the CAIN or the NATC instrument to examine aspects of computer attitudes among nurses where such attitudes are deemed to comprise cognitive, behavioural and affective components. However, none of the studies has used both instruments simultaneously. In order to effectively explore attitudes, it is necessary that the measures of all three components are examined. As such, the CAIN and the NATC instruments were used as complementary tools in this study.
This research on computer attitudes also examined factors such as: age, gender, nationality, basic professional qualification, length of service, job appointment and computer familiarity and how they correlate with computer attitudes.
The results of this study indicated the validity of the CAIN and the NATC instruments in ascertaining the general status of nurses' computer attitudes. The significant correlations of some individual characteristics, and the predictors for computer anxiety and attitudes towards computerisation were identified.
In view of more comprehensive use of computer technology in the health care industry in Singapore, the implications of the findings and methods in enhancing the implementation of computerisation, were discussed. Some limitations were also identified and suggestions for future research proposed.
This research examined the computer attitudes of nurses in a Singapore hospital in terms of their anxiety towards computers and attitudes towards computerisation. Two survey instruments were used for this purpose. One was the Computer Anxiety Index (CAIN) and the other the Nurses' Attitudes Towards Computerisation Questionnaire (NATC).
Several past studies have been conducted using either the CAIN or the NATC instrument to examine aspects of computer attitudes among nurses where such attitudes are deemed to comprise cognitive, behavioural and affective components. However, none of the studies has used both instruments simultaneously. In order to effectively explore attitudes, it is necessary that the measures of all three components are examined. As such, the CAIN and the NATC instruments were used as complementary tools in this study.
This research on computer attitudes also examined factors such as: age, gender, nationality, basic professional qualification, length of service, job appointment and computer familiarity and how they correlate with computer attitudes.
The results of this study indicated the validity of the CAIN and the NATC instruments in ascertaining the general status of nurses' computer attitudes. The significant correlations of some individual characteristics, and the predictors for computer anxiety and attitudes towards computerisation were identified.
In view of more comprehensive use of computer technology in the health care industry in Singapore, the implications of the findings and methods in enhancing the implementation of computerisation, were discussed. Some limitations were also identified and suggestions for future research proposed.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
QA76 Tan
Date Submitted
1999