Impact of telehealth on job satisfaction of nurses and organizational performance of home health agencies

This study investigates the balance between nursing job satisfaction and organizational performance in home health agencies. As the nursing shortage continues, home health agencies must determine the optimal balance between maintaining a nursing workforce by keeping them satisfied with their working conditions, while producing the most sufficient level of nursing visits to uphold patient care and health. Using the Technology Acceptance Model and Institutional Theory, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of telehealth adoption as it relates to job satisfaction and performance.; The study evaluated telehealth adoption at the individual level and at the organizational level. The basic unit of analysis at the individual level was the home health agency nurse. The unit of analysis at the organizational level was the home health agency. Primary data collection was conducted in June 2003 and June 2004 for job satisfaction material. Performance data were collected in November 2003, January 2004, and March 2004. Analysis of Variance tests were employed to examine differences in scores across time and between adoption groups at 1 point in time. Factor analysis was performed to examine ways in which telehealth is perceived by nurses. Separate regression analyses were then utilized to determine predictors of job satisfaction of nurses and performance levels of home health agencies.; Results indicated that job satisfaction levels were similar among the adopters and non adopters of telehealth and that most of the nurses were satisfied with their jobs. Predictors of job satisfaction included previous job satisfaction levels, telehealth intensity of use, organizational support for telehealth, and the perception of telehealth as being useful. Computer experience, average hourly pay, patient case-mix, and the ease of use for telehealth were all shown to not predict job satisfaction among nurses. Results on performance data demonstrated that agencies adopting telehealth had higher performance levels than those agencies choosing not to adopt telehealth technology. Perceived usefulness, organizational support for telehealth, and previous job satisfaction levels were found to not be significant predictors of performance.; Results indicated that there appears to be a trade off between job satisfaction, maintaining nurse's outlook toward one's job, and performance capabilities. Home health agencies when adopting telehealth as a means to increase performance levels must then pay careful attention to not only how the nurses perceive the technology, but also how managers perceive the technology, as encouragement and attention given to nurses in regards to telehealth implementation increases satisfaction levels among nurses in the adoption groups.