Exploring the

influence of
informatics in
Nursing:
The Filipino
Student Nurses
Perspective
A journal report

EMILIO A. ANTANG JR., MAN, RN

 INTRODUCTION
As the largest group of the health care
workforce, nursing is at a pivotal junction of
identifying and incorporating information
technology to improve patient outcomes.
Because health care delivery increasingly
requires timely information for effective
decision making, information technology
must be integrated into nursing education
curricula for all future nurse clinicians and
educators (McNeil et.al. 2003).
 INTRODUCTION
Establishing a baseline of informatics
competencies for nursing students is vital to
planning an informatics curriculum and
adequately preparing students to use
information technologies to promote safe
and evidence-based nursing care (Hebda &
Calderone 2010).
As technology has advanced, the learning
styles of students has changed a lot and the
influence of computer technology is
becoming critical to their formation as
future professionals.
 INTRODUCTION
Today’s students have their own
perceptions on the influence of informatics
in their learning styles and motivation.
As partakers of computer technology
advancement, exploring the experiences of
these students enhances our understanding
of how informatics influences learning and
how it can improve the nursing profession in
today’s world.
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
Generally, the study aimed to explore the
experience of student nurses with the
impact of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) and informatics in
appraising and developing their theoretical
foundations and clinical competence in
nursing.
 SIGNIFICANCE
• Student nurses were given the
opportunity to reflect and explore their
experiences with the influence of nursing
informatics on their academic preparation,
economic and social growth as
individuals.
• Professional nurses exposed to the
findings may develop appreciation and
value the enormous contributions of
informatics in the nursing profession
especially in the provision of safe, cost-
effective and time-efficient patient care
 SIGNIFICANCE
• School administrators of tertiary
institutions of learning offering nursing
curriculum in a developing country will
obtain feedback from the identified
effects of nursing informatics on the
delivery of instruction by the faculty as
well as the creation of policies deemed to
influence the academic preparation of the
students.
• The government at some point will gain
insight on the benefits of information
technology in an attempt to meet the day
to day challenges that technological
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Utilized a qualitative descriptive
phenomenological design to explore the roles
of informatics in the lives of student nurses.
• Six student nurses involved in the study were
selected through purposive sampling with the
general criteria on the use of computer
technology in studying the science of nursing.
• Saturation was met at the 5th participant,
making the 6th participant a part of the
disconfirming stage.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Inclusion criteria includes 3rd (2) and 4th (4) year
student nurses regardless of age and sex as
long as they already took nursing informatics as
a program subject.
 21 year old student nurse who claimed to be computer
literate since high school

24 year old Fil-American student who preferred textbooks

over reading internet-based information

the only female who was active in nursing research and

claimed to have gained confidence and competence in
nursing research through her knowledge in computer and
information technology

20 year-old self-acclaimed computer gamer who relied on

accessing information via the internet rather than the school
library

19 year-old internet dependent student who credited

technology as the space where he worked on all scholarly
activities
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Conducted in a tertiary educational institution
in CAR through actual face-to-face interaction
in a non-threatening, quiet, and private vacant
classroom .
• Personal preference of the participants was
taken into consideration as long as it was a
suitable working environment, free from
distractions and intimidation, fostering
openness and supporting participant
disclosure.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Open exploratory unstructured interviews and
observation of the non-verbal cues of the
participants was utilized.
• An audio recording of the full length
conversation was made upon approval of the
participants.
• The initial research question was “What is your
experience as a student nurse of the influence
of computer technology in your studies?”
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Informed consent was obtained before the

initiation of the data gathering phase.
• Electronic audio recordings were deleted and
transcribed conversation was kept in a sealed
envelope.
• Data management accomplished through
transcription of the audio recordings and used
a color-coding approach to ensure ease of
identifying main themes for data analysis.
 RESULTS
Two MAJOR THEMES:
I. Todays’ learner in the light of informatics
and technological advancement
A. Technology as a need
B. Technology as a disadvantage
II. Emerging technology in today’s global
health
A. Information Technology and Bedside
Care
B. Health and Information Technology in
a Third-World Country
 RESULTS
I. Todays’ learner in the light of informatics and technological
advancement
 RESULTS
I. A.1. Technology as a need : ACCESSIBILITY
• Students perceived the internet as a tool made information
accessible and readily available at any given time and place, which
gave them more time to accomplish school related and personal
activities.

"In our generation nowadays, if you know how to use technology like
gadgets, it makes work easier."
- Green
 RESULTS
I. A.2. Technology as a need : SOURCE OF INFORMATION
• The electronic book can be accessed anytime to access information
needed during classes for case analyses and other assignments
where references are needed to facilitate learning.

"As a student nurse, e-books provided us practical, cheapest, fastest

and easiest way to obtain information."
- Blue
 RESULTS
I. A.3. Technology as a need : INNOVATIVE LEARNING
• Dynamic approach to learning through the use of computer
technology favors more meaningful learning.

"I can say 80% of the time. Projectors or computers are used. As well
as tablets for research and other stuff. That’s the one thing I find quite
more enjoyable about lectures."
- Yellow
 RESULTS
I. A.4. Technology as a need : RESEARCH DISCOVERY
• Accessible research development and utilization in nursing became
possible through the use of electronic devices and the proliferation
of different software available online to help students analyze and
interpret statistical data.

"As a student nurse, e-books provided us practical, cheapest, fastest

and easiest way to obtain information."
- Blue
 RESULTS
I. A.5. Technology as a need : SOCIAL MEDIA MANIA
• The birth of social media intensified social linkages which modified
learning approaches for most of the students.

"All hand-outs and announcements are made available in our group

page where we can view topics to review and some home works."
- Red
 RESULTS
I. A.6. Technology as a need : SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE
• Social media became a source of information among students
through the links and articles made open for public awareness.
• It fosters reconnection among family and friends and an avenue for
discussion of homework and school requirements.
 RESULTS
I. B.1. Technology as a disadvantage : INTERNET DEPENDENCE
• Respondents have less frequent library visitation which became
beneficial at some point but taught students to rely more on the
internet than immersing self into the wide array of references the
library offers.
• Respondents have less frequent library visitation which became
beneficial at some point but taught students to rely more on the
"It makes it harder to fulfil requirements without technology, because
internet than immersing self into the wide array of references the
we were assigned to look on journals, updates, this and that."
library offers. - Red
 RESULTS
I. B.1. Technology as a disadvantage : INTERNET DEPENDENCE
• Access to the university internet services is not adequate considering
that they’ve paid for internet fees and issues of connection speed
became a growing concern thus many provide their own
connections through pocket wifi.

"The connection is very slow and most of the time we can’t avail of the
internet services that’s why we bring our own pocket wifi during class
hours."
- Red
 RESULTS
I. B.2. Technology as a disadvantage : LEARNING DISTRACTIONS
• Multitasking with the use of electronic gadgets offers a variety of
tasks a student can avail while trying to search the internet.

"I get lost and lose track of time for more important things. It’s like a
stress reliever to me. I always tell myself, I watch this first before I do
my requirements."
- Green
 RESULTS
I. B.2. Technology as a disadvantage : LEARNING DISTRACTIONS
• Use of electronic gadgets is restricted since it distracts attention
from the topic at hand and affects retention of learning.

"Before, almost all instructors allowed the use of gadgets during class
hours, but because others use their gadgets the wrong way it became
restricted. So students should learn to use technology appropriately
during class hours."
- Blue
 RESULTS
I. B.3. Technology as a disadvantage : SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE
• Social media can be an avenue for students to express their
thoughts, emotions, achievements, and even personal information
putting them at risk for cybercrime and cyberbullying.

"There are things I post in social media that are not supposed to be, as
an effect people get to know easily thoughts that are not supposed to
be shared."
- Green
 RESULTS
I.B.4. Technology as a disadvantage : SEXUAL CURIOUSITY
• Prolific influence of social media which offers diverse and complex
information and mass media availability anytime of the day which
can somehow influence emotional development.

"I think for the opposite sex it becomes shameful and awkward, but for
the same sex its ok since most do it. So it’s like a normal thing."
- Purple
 RESULTS
I. Todays’ learner in the light of informatics and technological
advancement
 RESULTS
II. Emerging technology in today’s global health
 RESULTS
II.A.1. Information Technology and Bedside Care: CLINICAL COMPETENCE
• The exposure to various equipment and electronic generated
machines available in the affiliating hospitals have helped develop a
significant degree of competence.

"As far as monitoring vital signs, we have things like cardiac monitors,
pulse oximeters, we have mechanical ventilators to treat and assess
which is more practical way than doing it the manual way"
- Yellow
 RESULTS
II.A.2. Information Technology and Bedside Care: COMPETITIVE
ADVANTAGE
• Exposure to basic equipment is more than enough to provide a
competitive advantage given the necessary background in
information technology acquired in their lower years.
• Believed "Itthat everything that
is advantageous is learned through
we’re exposed constant
to such exposure
technology and
while still
adequatestudents
training.
so that when we work somewhere else later on we know
already how to operate basic equipment."
- Green
 RESULTS
II.A.3. Information Technology and Bedside Care: IMPROVED QUALITY
• Participants believed that care should not be fully dependent on
machines.
• Constant and caring nurse-patient interactions must be developed in
order to ensure quality outcomes.
• Too much dependence on technology can influence the caring
essence of the nursing profession.
 RESULTS
II.B.1. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
TECHNOLOGICAL DELAY
• Use of informatics is not well appreciated in affiliated hospitals.
• Management information system for filing and provision of pertinent
data regarding patient care is not observed
• Charting still traditionally done on paper and procurement of supplies
and drugs or medications is done manually which takes away from
time allotted for bedside care.
 RESULTS
II.B.1. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
TECHNOLOGICAL DELAY
"Obviously
• University everyone
was notcomplains
equipped aboutwith
the up-to-date
equipment that we utilize during
equipment returnto
essential
demonstrations.
enhance learningI believe and
the way to utilize
mastery of technology furtherbefore
basic skills increaseactual
the
knowledge of students
performance would
in the be toarea.
clinical create video presentations of these skills. So at
least in that manner they won’t be able to say you do this and that to reduce the
confusion of students, because the way that we practice our RD in a way that is
actually practiced in the hospitals are two completely different things. Sometimes
we often mistake what we do here to what is supposed to be done."
- Yellow
 RESULTS
II.B.1. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
POOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
• Believed there is nothing wrong with how Filipino nurses deliver care
to patients.

"The government should allocate funds for technology."

- Green
 RESULTS
II.B.3. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
INADEQUATE EXPOSURE
• Learners have a hard time acquiring the best exposure to enhance
the way they fulfil their functions in patient care.
• Some claimed that the lack of exposure in the clinical area taught
them to learn independently through watching Youtube and other
learning aids to fill the gap in learning they obtain in school.
 RESULTS
II.B.3. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
INADEQUATE EXPOSURE
• Learners have a hard time acquiring the best exposure to enhance
the way they fulfil their functions in patient care.
• Some claimed that the lack of exposure in the clinical area taught
them to learn independently through watching Youtube and other
learning aids to fill
"If I find the gap in
performance of learning they obtain
skills inadequate, in school.
I usually watch it over the
Youtube so the next time I will be exposed I already have an idea."
- Blue
 RESULTS
II.B.3. Health and Information Technology in a Third-World Country:
TECHNOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE
• Too much dependence on technology viewed as a drawback since it
leads to poor assessment and dependence on machines which limits
the development and enhancement of hands-on skills..

"It shortens everything and it leads to poor assessment."

- Yellow
 RESULTS
II. Emerging technology in today’s global health
 CONCLUSION
Participants acknowledged the roles and
influence of informatics in their academic
formation.
• Learning became simple and the acquisition of
information is readily available online making
the internet an influential tool in students’
learning.
• Educators should intensify the integration of
informatics in developing the curriculum and
aim to improve learning outcomes both in the
classroom setting and the clinical areas.
 CONCLUSION
• Educational institutions need to provide the
necessary technological advancement together
with affiliating hospitals to enable students to
develop confidence and competence in carrying
out their roles as care providers.
• Dependence on technology is sometimes not
advantageous to learning, therefore, students
should be taught to protect themselves online,
especially when using social media.
 CONCLUSION
• The advancement of technology in a third world
country like the Philippines poses a great
challenge to the quality of education being
offered.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Colleges and universities in the Philippines should be adaptive and
responsive to the evolving challenges of technology in influencing
student learning.
• Educational institutions should embrace the constantly changing
demand for technological appraisal deemed to uplift educational
standards.
• Every institution should support the significant influence of the internet
by investing in wifi connected campuses.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Educational institutions offering nursing program partner with staff
nurses, hospital administrators and health care institutions to provide
practice opportunities where students learn the art of nursing in a
world where technology is becoming an influential tool for learning.
• Staff nurses should continue to undergo professional advancement
through trainings and seminars relevant to the area of specialty.
• Hospital administrators on the other hand should be receptive to
change by way of integrating technology into management structures.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Philippine government should reflect and appraise our educational
standards by creating policies, budgets, and projects directed toward a
balanced appropriation of funds to all sectors.
• A need for aggressive programs that meet technological demands
starting with centralized computer literacy programs in grade school
should be initiated.
• In the health care sector, allocation of funds should support the
integration of technology to enhance safe and high quality health
services.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• All tertiary government and training hospitals should be equipped with
advanced technology and the funds for research should be intensified
to support advanced knowledge in applying these technologies to
support wellness and health in all citizens.
• Follow-up studies utilizing other research designs should be
undertaken to identify other areas of concern regarding technology
advancement in nursing education and healthcare.
• Further study can give direction on how to proceed to incorporate ICTs
into healthcare, and draw attention to the influence of information
technology in today’s modern world in all sectors of everyday life.
 Source
Austria, P.J. Exploring the influence of informatics in Nursing: The
Filipino Student Nurses Perspective. Online Journal of Nursing
Informatics (OJNI), 21(2), Retrieved on November 26, 2018 from
http://www.himss.org/ojni