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Identifying and relating nurses' attitudes toward computer use

Computerization is changing how hospitals do business as well as how nursing is practiced. Use of computer applications depends on the attitudes and motivation nurses have about computers.The purpose of this replication study is to examine relationships between nurses' attitudes toward computer use satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation. This study used an adaptation of Vroom's expectancy theory as a framework to identify and relate nurses' attitudes and identify variables that may relate with computer use.An instrument developed by Burkes (1991), the Nurses' Computer Use Attitude Questionnaire was used to measure nurses' attitudes toward computer usage. This includes satisfaction, beliefs, and motivation.The convenience sample included 101 (67%) nurses from three rural hospitals who agreed to participate in the study. Confidentiality was maintained, and only group data was reported.Findings in this study support Vroom's theory that there is a relationship between beliefs and motivation, between satisfaction and motivation, and between beliefs and motivation. Findings in this study were the longer the nurses duration of computer experience the more satisfied they were with using them. Age and level of nursing experience did not determine satisfaction, beliefs or motivation to use computer applications. Conclusions from this study were that knowledge levels can vary in regard to use. In this study the Beliefs subscale accounted for 46% of the variance in predicating motivation. Therefore what one comes to expect or believe will be a factor in how much effort is put into behavior changes.Further research should try to determine what if any demographic information is consistently a predictor of attitudes scores. This information could be helpful in enhancing the chances for successful implementation and utilization of computers. There should also be research in the variables that impact attitudes of nurses toward utilization of computers.This study is significant because findings will provide information about attitudes and usage of computers in rural hospitals. If attitudes are recognized, attitudes can be improved and better utilization will follow. / School of Nursing

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/185163
Date January 1995
CreatorsKunkle, Carol J.
ContributorsBall State University. School of Nursing., Hodson, Kay E.
Source SetsBall State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Formatviii, 131 leaves ; 28 cm.
SourceVirtual Press

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