Nurses' Perspectives of Person-Centered Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation in a Digital Hospital
Published 18th January 2019
Burridge L, Foster M, Jones R, Geraghty T, Atresh S.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Nurses' perspectives on electronic medical record (eMR) use and compatibility with person-centered care (PCC) in rehabilitation were explored.
DESIGN:This cross-sectional, qualitative study involved nurses practicing in a spinal cord injury service within the first Australian tertiary hospital to implement a large-scale eMR system.
METHODS: Ten focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.
FINDINGS: The three themes were (1) discovering how eMR fits in a specialty setting, (2) making eMR work through adaptability, and (3) realizing the impact of eMR inclusion in the nurse-patient relationship.
CONCLUSIONS: The eMR introduction triggered compensatory practices to manage the complexities and shortcomings of electronic documentation. Nurses adapted routines and reoriented workflows to preserve PCC.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While absorbing eMR-driven changes in documentation, rehabilitation nurses must in parallel manage evolving nursing practice norms in the digital environment in order to sustain PCC. This requires strategic foresight and commitment.
Authors
Honorary Adjunct Professor
Director, Queensland Spinal Cord Injury Service
Professor and Director
