Nursing Informatics Brings eLearning Technology to Nursing

• Nursing informatics has led to new eLearning technology in nursing. 
• Virtual reality, augmented reality, and wearable devices are new means of learning and training used in nursing. 
• These technologies can increase the educational environment, as well as increase patient outcomes by better trained staff, and patients. 

Due to nursing informatics, the eLearning industry is undergoing a revolution due to recent advancements in technology. 

The American Nursing Association (ANA) defines nursing informatics as the integration of “nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice.”

eLearning has grown by 23% during the years of 2013-2017.  Due to this, there are several emerging technologies that are taking technology in nursing to a higher level.  There are a variety of different technologies, but the ones covered in this discussion include: 

• Virtual reality 
• Augmented reality 
• Wearable devices  

Virtual Reality

With virtual reality, staff can be at various locations worldwide and can still be surrounded in an engaging and educational environment.  With this type of learning, staff have greater motivation to learn.   

As a nursing educator, numerous challenges are faced in integrating simulation training of each organization into the overall clinical education aspect. Challenges include reliability measures and gauging staffs’ progress, align outcomes with competencies, and implement current technology. 

With the advancement and availability of healthcare simulation programs, virtual reality provides a single integrated system with a full spectrum of options for mid-to large-size organizations. From audio-visual hardware and software to management, evaluation, and mobile device access, this type of technology enables evaluators to devote their full simulation efforts to achieve positive results and outcomes.   

Staff are not focused only on pages of text and illustrations but will have a chance to experience the reality itself.   

It is thought that with virtual reality, more areas such as training, education, and improved rates of skill competencies will be noted among healthcare organizations. 

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality is also an area of technology in nursing.  It allows for more interest in learning, is easier to understand.  

For example, an online instructor who may be teaching anatomy could offer an online virtual tour of the body and the different organ systems.   

It provides a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world and provides real world sensory input like video, graphics, and sound.  Some effective uses among staff in an organization using augmented reality include: 

• Training of staff – augmented reality allows tablet-based simulations of different patient scenarios which allows staff to better connect with patients and handle daily work situations requiring a combination of social, technical, and team skills. 

• Medical education – supervisors can educate nursing staff on basic anatomy and specific concepts to learn about new therapies and drugs.  There are many apps that can be uses on a staff member’s phone to access textbook images and overlay digital information on human body structures to help staff learn more effectively.  Its goal is to replace bulky paper manuals, books, and charts within an organization. 

• Helping the visually impaired — augmented reality can enhance the visual appearance of everyday objects and people by using 3D recognition software.  An organization that works with patients/clients with visual impairments can benefit immensely from this type of technology as it helps those with serious visual impairments to recognize familiar faces, find lost items, and navigate their environment in an easier manner. 

Wearable Devices

Nursing informatics isn’t just for staff, but also to assist patients and giving them autonomy over their own care.

Wearable devices are referred to as smart electronic devices that can be worn on the body and can act as versatile training tool to deliver training experiences anywhere.  They can take scenarios and simulations to the next level.   

Why are wearables so powerful? 

• It’s personal – these devices are present in moments of a patient’s life when another technology may not be present.  Many individuals take smartphones and wearable technology with them everywhere – even the bathroom. 
• It assists with healthy habits.  Many of the diseases that impact patients the most are the result of decisions made over a lifetime, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease.  Wearable technology can be programmed to help both staff and patients to track their healthy decisions and set achievable goals. 
• It provides an effective type of coaching that is important for habit forming, including meal plans, step counting, carbohydrate counting, smoking cessation, and more.   
• It’s affordable for most individuals both inside and outside of the United States. 
• Providers are in favor – many providers have found wearable technology in healthcare helpful in monitoring their patients. They utilize commercial and personal-grade wearables to monitor health conditions and vitals, track medications, follow the recovery of post-op patients, and track sleep activity. 

Many clinicians are finding that wearable technology in healthcare has the most benefit when applied to healthy lifestyle decisions aimed to prevent diseases. 

Since a nurse cannot be with a patient/client in a facility 24/7, the wearable devices will allow providers to give their patients goals to work on. Patients can then program their goals into their device and have reminders every day to increase compliance. 

Wearable technology in nursing can complement a physician’s care, but not replace it.  As technology continues to advance, the possibilities of how wearable technology can be integrated into healthcare practice are endless. 

The Implications of Nursing Informatics Technology

It is notable that nursing informatics can be very successful if it’s integrated properly into the total learning program of an organization and of course it has both advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of Nursing Informatics 

• interactivity
• flexibility

Disadvantages of Nursing Informatics

• being unfamiliar with the technology 
• glitches and access to technology 
• cost factors

As with any technology, there are some that will benefit from eLearning more than others.  For some, the advancements in technology offer fear and uncertainty of how to properly use the device. Others welcome these advancements as they seem to make learning, staff trainings, and competencies much easier.

The Bottom Line

Many individuals favor eLearning due to the various instructional designs that can be used and attest that eLearning is as effective as face-to-face training for many areas of healthcare and the required professional trainings.   

It is important to fully train all staff, especially those who do not feel comfortable with this type of technology in nursing, in order to achieve optimal results within an organization.

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