Application of Technology in Nursing and Patient Education
by Alberta E. Gudes, BSN, RN
 

There is no question even by mere practical observation that technology has changed civilization tremendously over time across international boundaries.  Its integration into diverse industries, commercial businesses, government and private institutions, and many more, has transformed service delivery to a level that has never ever been imagined several decades ago.  The magnitude of its impact to the world has re-engineered humanity’s lifestyle and this has not exempted the healthcare industry in making medical breakthroughs and simplified complicated tasks, which are but not limited to nursing and patient education. These for the end purpose that life can be preserved and taken care of the best way humans can possibly do. 

Using iPad Technology in Nursing and Patient Education

Technology has produced countless applications and devices in all forms and sizes.  To name a few are Netbooks, Smartphones, Laptops, iPods, iPads, and many more. For the purpose of this paper, the writer is singling out the iPad as a technology that is also affecting the nursing and patient education nowadays.  The iPad of Apple is a technology breakthrough that is brilliant in every sense of the word and is capable of so much more than one ever imagined (iPad, 2012), (PEM, 2011). Its retina display transforms the iPad experience so that everything looks and feels incredibly lifelike and detailed, becoming the best display ever in a mobile device. It contains the world’s most advance operating system with the most powerful and innovative built-in apps used in every day task (iPad, 2012).

Significance of the iPad Technology in Nursing and Patient Education

In the context of the nursing profession, the use of these technical wonders like the iPads, has in one way or the other helped nurses perform their duties and responsibilities better and faster with accuracy and lesser errors.  According to Patient Education Management (PEM, 2011), “Technology is improving the way patient managers oversee and offer education for patients. It can get the learners involved in the education process and provide a way to individualize teaching”. PEM added that, “A few years ago, educational materials were kept in a file drawer on hospital floors and clinics.  Now they are inventoried and distributed via the Intranet, keeping them up-to-date and readily available” (PEM, 2011).  Moreover, “instantaneous access to educational resources is being improved with the development of new handheld devices”, PEM (2011) stressed.

Supporting Rationale of iPad Technology in Nursing and Patient Education

But, the question of how significant the iPad is today in the nursing profession comes to mind. Eley et. al., (2008) said that, “Information Technology (IT) is no longer limited to specialized clinical areas and administrative services”.  They added that, “the potential benefits of IT use in the health care sector include the anticipated within any other industry or business as improved efficiency and communication” (Eley et. al., 2008).  Thus, if the use of iPads in the workplace especially in situations wherein nurse educators engaged themselves with patients as learners enhances efficiency and communications, then harnessing iPads vast potentials for improved overall performance is justifiably encompassing and something to reckon with. Tim Burrill, MBA, assistant administrator of Florida Hospital of Children in Orlando, said that “They have adopted the technology up front”, adding that “the iPad is very simple to use”.  PEM, (2011) also said, that “The Apple iPad, a handheld computing device, is used to educate children and adults with videos and illustrations”.   Educational videos with animated characters produced in-house, that describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, were loaded on to the electronic device to prepare children for the procedure (PEM, 2011).  

Advantages of iPad Technology in Nursing and Patient Education

Another significance of the iPad is its ability to be able to inter-phase with apps, which is one of its promising strengths (Spencer & Lunsford, 2010).  Apps developers can create multimedia functionalities on iPad in order to demonstrate particular illnesses and other medical conditions.  This could be presented in a form of patient videos, animations, charts, diagrams or in any way that would ensure that patient care delivery is efficiently and effectively performed in accordance to the appropriate professional standards and competencies in nursing. With all these positive and endless capabilities of iPads as an electronic device to aid nurses, a healthcare professional’s engagement with his patient would result to better outcomes.

Disadvantages of iPad Technology in Nursing and Patient Education

On the other hand, iPad’s presence as an aid for medical professionals in the conduct of their functions does not guarantee that everything would be smooth sailing along the process.  There cannot be a one-size-fit-all device that would totally eliminate the possibilities of making errors as nurses dispose their duties and responsibilities.  As Sherman (2006) argued that "today's nursing work force contains members of three generational cohorts”, then the challenge that poses to be disadvantageous among nurses is the fact that there are still a number of nurse educators, whose literacy to the use of modern technology like the iPad is still somewhat in the downside. This can be one of the setbacks that can be noted or expected if the iPad technology would be adapted as part of nurse educators device to patients. 

Use of iPad Technology to Appropriate Professional Standards and Competencies

Also, another important component to consider when looking at the underlying implications of using the iPad technology is the cost that is associated with it versus benefits that it would offer across facilities.  Eley et. al., (2008) argued that “An additional goal of anticipated benefit of Information Technology within health care is to improve patient care in a cost effect manner”. Smith, (2004), also contended that there is a need to justify cost in proportion to the value of technology in its ability to enhance patient safety, retain nurses, provide more care time and support to strategic plans.  Smith, (2004)& Yusufu, (2008) further argued that “each new advancement and implementation of technology carries risks and cost with it.  Some of the risks include proof of efficacy for the nurse and the patient. There is a need to balance between cost of technology and the registered nurse (RN) resource adding that each proposed device and system has an attached competition for capital dollars and salary dollars”(Smith, 2004), (Yusufu, 2008).

Conclusion

On the final note, the writer of this paper argues that a thorough examination of the iPad as part of relevant technology devices to be used in nursing and patient education has to be given weight and consideration given the innumerable possibilities that it can offer to the healthcare industry.  In fact, one of these possibilities that pops up to the mind of the writer of this paper during the course of her research is the promising capability of the iPad to be used as a scanning device through the use of UpCode. An UpCode is an optical reader that uses mobile electronic device to add any electronic information and system printed on screens (UpCode, 2012). From this concept, patients can be assigned UpCode that can be scanned in their wristbands while on admission, inpatient and outpatient services. Through the use of iPads as the most convenient, user friendly and flexible device to use, a nurse can scan the UpCode so that instantly patients’ medical information can be accessed easily during nurse-patient engagement in the bedside, in the clinic or services in the facility.

Lastly, once the healthcare industry sees evidence-based data that would show the importance of the iPad expansively towards effective and efficient healthcare service delivery, then the costs that usually pose as a challenged can be far outweighed with its benefits.

References

Eley, R., Fallon, T., Soar, J., Buikstra, E., & Hegney, D. (2008). Nurses' confidence and experience in using information technology. Australian Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 25(3), 23-35.

iPad. (2012). Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Patient Education Management (PEM). (2011). Don't get left behind: iPads making strong inroads with patient education. (2011). Patient Education Management, 18(5), 49-51.

UpCode. (2012). Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www.itp.net/events/wm08/files/Vahid%20Amiripour.pdf

Sherman, R. (2006, May 31). Leading a multigenerational nursing workforce: Issues, challenges and strategies. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume112006/Number2May31/tpc30_216074.aspx

Smith, C. (2004). New technology continues to invade healthcare: what are the strategic implications/outcomes?Nursing Administration Quarterly, 28(2), 92-98.

Spencer, J., & Lunsford, V. (2010). Electronic documentation and the caring nurse-patient relationship. International Journal For Human Caring, 14(2), 30-35.

Robinson, S. (2011). TEACHING TECHNIQUES. Promote Active Learning with iPads. Radiologic Technology, 83(2), 204-207.

Yusufu, E. (2008). The need for in-service education units in nursing services departments. West African Journal Of Nursing, 19(1)