Structural Empowerment and Attitude of Nurses Toward Computer Use in a National University Hospital in the Philippines

Abstract

The integration of technological innovations in healthcare is essential for advancing patient care, improving information accessibility, and enhancing inter-professional communication. This transformation, while beneficial, has introduced new responsibilities for nurses, extending beyond traditional patient care to encompass various computer-mediated activities. This shift, however, poses challenges, including limited computer knowledge, time allocation issues, and insufficient training and resources. This research, employing a descriptive correlational research design, investigates the factors influencing the attitude of nurses towards the use of computers. A purposive sample of 282 registered nurses from a National University Hospital participated in the study. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson r correlation coefficient, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), exploring the interplay between structural empowerment, attitude towards computer use, and demographic variables, such as age, nursing experience, and computer usage duration. The study conducted at UP – Philippine General Hospital, reveals a moderate level of structural empowerment among nurses, with "opportunities" and "informal power" scoring high. Notably, "resources" received the lowest score, indicating a need for enhanced support. Despite challenges, the majority of nurses exhibited openness to technology, emphasizing the significance of professional growth and peer support. The study unveils a positive attitude towards computer use, with some nurses experiencing cyberphobia. Significantly, a positive and moderate correlation emerged between structural empowerment and computer use attitude, underlining the pivotal role of an empowering work environment. Demographic variables such as age, nursing experience, and computer usage duration were found to influence both structural empowerment and attitude towards computer use. The findings emphasize the importance of support, information access, formal power, and resources in shaping nurses' professional growth and job satisfaction. Addressing these dimensions is crucial for effective strategies promoting technology adoption, ultimately enhancing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.