The lived experience of nurses transitioning to electronic medical records usage: A phenomenological inquiry

12^th Nursing and Healthcare Congress

October 03-05, 2016 Vancouver, Canada

Leesuk Ferencsik

Adventist University of Health Sciences, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Background: One of the most pressing global issues in health care settings is patientsâ�?�? safety. In an effort to decrease medical errors and improve the quality of patient care, many health care organizations have adopted an electronic medical record (EMR) system. However, to date, the lived experience of the nurses transitioning to EMR is not clearly understood. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of nurses transitioning to EMR usage. Philosophical Underpinnings: This qualitative study followed van Manenâ�?�?s phenomenological perspectives under the naturalistic (constructivist) paradigm with the research question, â�?�?What is the experience of nurses transitioning to electronic medical records (EMRs) usage?â�? Methods: A qualitative phenomenological methodology was used for this study. A purposive sample of 15 nurses who have experienced transitioning to the EMR usage was selected. Data collection occurred with in-depth, semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions. Data analysis was guided by Max van Manenâ�?�?s (1990) phenomenological method, which includes describing, interpreting, textual writing and rewriting. Results: Four core themes Doubting, Struggling, Accomplishing, and Embracing emerged. Three subthemes: Balancing time between computer and patients and Increasing workloads and responsibility, which are subthemes of Struggling, and Leaving human interaction behind, a subtheme of Accomplishing emerged from this qualitative, phenomenological investigation. These themes illuminated the lived experience of 15 nurses transitioning to EMR usage. Thomas Kuhnâ�?�?s (1996) process of scientific inquiry provided a framework to gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon. Conclusions: This study explored the lived experience of nurses transitioning to EMR usage in hospital settings. The results of the inquiry highlighted the essence of participantsâ�?�? experience by revealing their doubt about the EMRâ�?�?s functionality, struggle with transitioning and using the new EMR system, accomplishment of successful transition to the EMR system, and finally acceptance of technology in their daily work practice.

Biography :

Leesuk Ferencsik is a registered nurse (RN), an Assistant Professor at Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU), Orlando, Florida. She has been a RN since 1989 and worked in both South Korea and the United States on long-term care facility, health clinic and all three levels of care: medical surgical unit, progressive care unit (PCU), and intensive care unit (ICU) in various acute care hospitals. Before she became a nursing faculty at ADU, she worked as a clinical nurse educator for a multisystem ICU, Surgical PCU, and Transplant Unit. She has a passion for teaching and learning. She was very pleased when she became a nursing faculty at ADU where she can do both: learning and teaching. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Korea Open University, South Korea, Master’s degree in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix, and nursing PhD from Barry University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Miami, Florida.

Email: Leesuk.Ferencsik@adu.edu