| The electronic health environment (e-health) is advancing rapidly. Soon computers will be essential for the effective delivery of patient care. If nurses are not ready for this transition, they may have difficulties learning new computer systems, suffer increased job stress, and pose a risk to patient safety. The purpose of this study was to identify nurses' readiness to accept new systems and their perceptions of e-health. Surveys and telephone interviews were used to collect data on computer self-efficacy, outcome expectations, stage of change, adoption level, and computer usage of selected nurses, with a response rate of 48%. Although results indicated higher than expected use of the computer, the study supported the general belief that nurses lack sufficient computer skills to work effectively in an e-health environment, with only 16.6% indicating advanced informatics skills and limited integration of computers in nursing care delivery. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that age, education, and computer use related to computer self-efficacy. A level-of-readiness model was developed composed of four identified variables: computer self-efficacy, outcome expectations, adoption level, and stage of change. Computer self-efficacy was identified as the critical factor, and that knowledge will be useful in preparing nurses for the future changes. The results also indicated that nurses' have a positive view about using computers in health care. This research identified critical factors needed to prepare nurses for the emerging e-health environment and the importance of computer self-efficacy as a key step in this preparation. |
