Computers in nursing最新文献

Designing, implementing, and maintaining a relational database for a complex, longitudinal clinical research project can be the key to the success of a research project. Related issues of data entry, accuracy, confidentiality, security, data analysis, and evaluation of research activities are among the considerations that must be addressed. Our experience with designing a system that was effective and user-friendly to manage the data collected during a 6-year, National Institutes of Health-funded, nursing research project is highlighted. Nurses and other healthcare providers may find our experience with a relational database helpful and applicable to similar clinical research projects.

The case studies will represent a wide variety of scenarios encountered in the field of healthcare information system technology implementation. We hope that the series will be of value to readers of Computers in Nursing. We encourage feedback so that subsequent cases within the series can be tailored to meet the needs of readers.

As the number of informatics nurse specialists (INS) has grown, they have become increasingly involved in information system (IS) consultation practice. Their combined clinical and informatics expertise makes these specialists highly marketable and successful IS consultants. As healthcare settings have shifted their IS development toward interdisciplinary-integrated clinical information systems (CIS) that support a patient-focused care continuum, INS have been required to broaden their consultation approaches beyond a domain-specific focus. This article illustrates a model-based context assessment approach that can be used by INS to expand their consultation repertoire.

Interest in computerized mental health assessments has been piqued by increasing demands to establish accurate psychiatric diagnoses in a time-efficient manner. Several such assessment instruments have been tested and the results are mixed. Computerized assessment of psychotic disorders appears most challenging; however, some advances have been made in effectively identifying alcohol abuse problems and nonpsychotic conditions. Issues that surround the use of computerized assessment instruments include: clinician accountability, client acceptance, diagnostic uncertainty, and reimbursement guidelines. Nurses must be aware of these issues to make informed decisions about how and when to use computerized assessment instruments in research and practice.

An interactive multimedia computer-assisted instruction on congenital heart disease was developed to increase nursing students' understanding of congenital heart disease. Computer-assisted instruction, with its ability to incorporate sound, visuals, and interactivity, provides a multimedia and interactive learning environment that enhances the teaching and learning process. Computer-assisted instruction is a cost- and time-effective teaching and learning strategy that can be tailored to the subject and student population. This article presents information regarding the process of developing an interactive multimedia computer-assisted instruction program on congenital heart disease.

Evolving computer technology has opened the door to unique and previously unavailable educational experiences. The use of one form of distance learning enabled undergraduate nursing students in the United States and England to participate in a short course on women's health issues. The nursing faculty at two universities, one in the United States and the other in England, collaborated on an international nursing education project. The delivery device was interactive desktop video conferencing (DTV). The focus of this article is on the evaluation of the project with recommendations about how best to use DTV in international nursing education.