AN INTERPRETIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY EXPLORING IRISH PRACTICE NURSES' READINESS TO USE EHEALTH IN ASTHMA GUIDED SELF-CARE

This study used interpretative descriptive methodology to examine the readiness of Irish Practice Nurses, to use ehealth processes for asthma care. Irish healthcare policy is pursuing an estrategy which aims to implement... [ view full abstract ]

This study used interpretative descriptive methodology to examine the readiness of Irish Practice Nurses, to use ehealth processes for asthma care. Irish healthcare policy is pursuing an estrategy which aims to implement telehealthcare for the management of chronic diseases before the year 2017. A smart phone ‘Asthma Coach’ app was used to explain to Practice Nurses how ehealth may be implemented for asthma management. This enabled exploration of Practice Nurses’ attitudes towards etechnologies and identification by them of the barriers, facilitators, conditions and resources necessary for the acceptance of ehealth strategies into their working processes. Purposeful sampling was employed and data was collected via three focus groups (N=15) and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate Practice Nurses will adopt ehealth if they perceive it improves patient care. They regard ehealth positively as they see it as synonymous with funded protected time being initiated for asthma management. Provision of this, is a key condition for acceptance of ehealth by them. Practice Nurses are pragmatic and confident in their ability to adapt and use etechnologies, if given appropriate training and professional guidance. However, they prefer face to face consultations and see virtual consultations as an adjunct to these, not a replacement. Some nurses regard etechnologies as being a less safe and less thorough means of care provision. They exhibit a range of attitudes and readiness levels, linked to how much they trust patients’ ability to self-care and safely work in partnership with healthcare professionals. Some will find it difficult to adopt ehealth; particularly those who hold a more traditional view of the healthcare professional and patient relationship. This research has implications for Practice Nurse preparation prior to ehealth implementation and suggests areas for future study. It also shows the value of adopting a sociocultural-technical approach when examining factors which affect technology acceptance.