Wolters Kluwer Health, a global provider of information and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry, has announced the results of a new survey that looks at the mobile device, Internet, and social media usage habits of nurse practitioners. According to the findings, nurses are increasingly relying on mobile devices, social media and the Internet.
The findings indicate that 65 percent of nurses surveyed said they currently use a mobile device for professional purposes at work. The study also found that, according to the practitioners, 95 percent of healthcare organisations allow nurses to consult websites and other online resources for clinical information at work.
The survey uncovered that 83 percent of nurses perceive that their organization's policy allows patient care staff access to public web sites, including social media, to access general health information that will help them with patient conditions. The findings reveal that 65 percent of nurses are using mobile devices for professional purposes at work at least 30 minutes per day, while 20 percent use them for two hours or more. Also notable, these same results indicated that the vast majority of organizations strictly prohibit actual interaction with patients through the technology.
Although many institutions are embracing mobile devices, Judith McCann, Chief Nurse, Lippincott Solutions, Wolters Kluwer Health, Professional & Education, cautions that not all information is created equal. This is especially true in healthcare where what is acceptable and current can change quickly.
Within the 95 percent who say they access health information at work, 48 percent of respondents say their healthcare institutions encourage nurses to access online resources; 41 percent allow for occasional use; and 5 percent only as a last resort. Among those who use mobile devices at work, Nurse Managers, at 77 percent, are more likely to use them than Staff Nurses, at 58 percent.
These results are similar to the results of a 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health physician survey that found a majority of physicians are now using mobile devices in their daily practice, including 80 percent reporting using a smartphone and 60 percent using a tablet. According to this research, physicians are more likely to use smartphones to access drug information and for communication purposes, while tablets are more commonly used to gain access to medical research and medical records, as well as access to reimbursement and billing information.
Nurses are also using mobile devices as a preferred means to access trusted drug information. According to McCann, more than 445,000 clinicians downloaded the popular Nursing Drug Handbook Apps since they first launched in 2012.
The latest survey was sponsored by the Lippincott Solutions product team within Wolters Kluwer Health. Lippincott Solutions is a series of comprehensive, integrated software applications that includes advanced online workflow technology, current evidence-based clinical information, and professional development tools for the practicing clinician. The web suite of products helps healthcare provider organizations make evidence actionable at the bedside by supporting evidence-based practice, standardizing care, saving time, streamlining workflows, and fostering clinical excellence.
The survey results are published on the Lippincott Solutions website at www.LippincottMobile.com.
