Nursing Informatics Needs Assessment: Are Distance Programs Needed

1
Nursing Informatics Needs Assessment Are
Distance Programs Needed

• Article by Nesler, Sopczyk, Cummings, and
  Fortunato
• Helayne Sweet, HSCI740

2
Needs Being Evaluated

• This article assesses nurses needs for deploying
  a distance-learning system for nursing
  informatics
• - Looks as Masters degrees vs. Certificate
  programs
• - Considers perspective of nursing graduates
  (bachelor of science), ANA, individuals attending
  an annual continuing education computer
  conference
• Look at interest and skill level of potential
  students (including internet use and computer
  access, availability of faculty (although did not
  elaborate on this point), availability of related
  programs

3
Process for evaluating needs/requirements

• Primary methodology for collecting needs was
  polling/surveying various representative groups
• - no first hand observation (otj performance of
  nurses with certificate or masters degrees vs.
  those without)
• - focused on information needed vs. best
  decisions for healthcare organization
• Looked at personal goals, did not discuss
  organizational goals
• Authors conclusions based on various survey
  results indicated strong perceived need for
  distance-based maters programs which included
  nursing informatics education. Suggested
  worthwhile endeavor.

4
Needs Assessment Approach in Comparison

• Needs Assessment lecture suggests focusing on
  needs vs. wants with 4 step approach
• Identify future issues
• Invite panels, experts article solicited from
  appropriate constituent groups, representative of
  cross populations to idnetify issues
• Identify information needed for selected issues
  several information aspects/questions were
  disregarded in this article
• Cost to implement a distance learning program and
  nurses willingness to bear cost
• Curriculum mapped to job requirements
• Likeliness of participating without promise for
  career promotion/salary increase (e.g., just for
  betterment of organization),
• Improvement in performance at work (best decision
  for org. vs. individual)
• of nurses within close proximity to other
  educational institutions that offer education
  programs that accommodate nurses working
  schedules.

5
Distinguishing Between Needs and Wants

• Articles focus is on needs and wants of
  individual not organizational needs
• Doesnt focus on strategic decisions for org. as
  whole (e.g., best mix of skills, staff
  utilization and outcomes)

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Discussion on Distance Learning Needs/Wants

• How is distance learning a strategic decision for
  a healthcare organization in relation to cost
  considerations?
• What priorities would you have focused on in
  terms of items listed (e.g., of nurses willing
  to bear cost?)