Understanding Canadian Nurses’ Attitudes, Expectations, and Challenges in Using Digital Technology for Patient Care

The healthcare world is changing fast, and digital technology is playing a big part in how care is delivered. 

From electronic health records (EHRs) to telehealth and AI-powered tools, technology is transforming healthcare in many ways.

Nurses are at the heart of this transformation. 

They’re the ones using these digital tools every day to provide patient care. 

Since nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers, making up over 59% of the global workforce, their views on digital technology are crucial. 

They’re the primary users of tools like EHRs and telehealth platforms, and their feedback helps make these technologies work better.

Nurses also have a unique perspective on patient care. 

They interact directly with patients and can see how technology affects the patient experience and care quality. 

Plus, they play a key role in helping patients understand and use digital health tools.

In this blog, we’ll dive into what Canadian nurses think about digital healthcare, the challenges they face, and how these issues can be solved. 

By listening to nurses, we can make sure digital technology supports both caregivers and patients in the best way possible.

Nurses' Attitudes Toward Digital Health Technology

Canadian nurses generally have a positive view of digital health technology. 

They see its potential to improve patient care and make their work easier. 

A 2020 national survey of Canadian nurses highlighted some interesting trends. 

Nurses working with fully electronic systems were much happier with their tools compared to those in hybrid systems (where both paper and electronic records are used).

Here’s what the survey found:

• 85% of nurses in fully electronic systems said they had better access to complete patient information, compared to 70% in hybrid systems.
• 68% of those in fully electronic systems felt that their continuity of care had improved, while only 53% of nurses in hybrid systems felt the same way.
• 69% of nurses working in fully electronic systems noticed better communication within their care teams, compared to 51% in hybrid settings.
• Most importantly, 63% of nurses in fully electronic systems reported improved patient care quality, compared to 50% of those in hybrid systems.

These numbers show that fully integrated digital systems can make healthcare more efficient and lead to better patient outcomes.

However, while nurses recognize the benefits, some concerns still linger. A key worry is that too much reliance on technology could affect the personal side of nursing. 

Nurses value their relationships with patients, and they fear that technology might make it harder to connect and build trust. 

There's also concern that relying on digital systems or algorithms could limit critical thinking and clinical judgment.

It's important to address these concerns as we move forward with digital healthcare. Technology should support, not replace, the human touch that makes nursing so special.

Nurses’ Expectations from Digital Health Tools

Nurses are excited about the potential of digital health technology, hoping it will improve patient care and make their work more efficient. Here's what they want:

1. Better Patient Care

Nurses want tools that help monitor symptoms, give better access to patient information, and improve coordination among care teams. 

For example, Australian aged care nurses want integrated dashboards that show all clinical data in one place. This would help them track patients’ health more easily and make quicker, more informed decisions.

2. Less Workload, More Time for Patients

Nurses are under pressure, and digital tools can help lighten the load. Nurses expect technology to reduce time spent on admin tasks like documentation. 

A Canadian study found that nurses believe automation in areas like medication administration can save time and reduce errors, allowing more time for patient care.

3. Easy to Use

Nurses want technology that’s simple and intuitive. They don’t need complicated systems that require long training. 

A Canadian study showed that poor training in nursing schools left many nurses feeling overwhelmed by digital tools at work. Technology needs to be designed with nurses in mind, easy to use, and adaptable to their daily routines.

However, there’s a gap between these expectations and the reality of current tools. Many systems are:

1. Fragmented and Hard to Use

Nurses often deal with multiple systems that don’t work well together. This leads to data duplication, errors, and more work. In Canada, nurses reported using many digital platforms, which meant extra time spent on data entry.

2. Complicated Systems

Some tools focus more on functionality than ease of use, making them hard to navigate. Canadian nursing graduates highlighted challenges with inconsistent training and poor infrastructure, which made using digital health tools difficult.

3. Missing Key Features

Sometimes, digital tools don’t offer the features nurses need, like support for symptom assessment or continuous monitoring. Canadian nurses have asked for better tools to support palliative care, but these features are still being developed.

Bridging this gap requires collaboration between healthcare organizations, tech developers, and nurses. 

How to Support Nurses in Using Digital Health Technology

To help Canadian nurses make the most of digital health technologies, we need to address the challenges they face. This can be done by focusing on four key areas: training, system design, infrastructure, and collaboration.

1. Prioritize Comprehensive Training

Nurses need more than just basic training on digital tools. They should have access to ongoing, in-depth training that matches their experience level. This will help them feel confident using various digital tools in different care settings. 

For example, a study in Australia found that low digital literacy among nurses slowed down the successful use of telehealth in aged care. 

By investing in training, we can help nurses get the most out of telehealth and other technologies, improving patient care.

2. Invest in User-Friendly Systems

Healthcare organizations should focus on investing in easy-to-use, integrated systems that streamline workflows. 

When systems don't work well together, nurses end up spending extra time managing multiple platforms and dealing with data duplication. 

This takes valuable time away from patient care. A seamless, integrated system can make it easier to access data and coordinate care, making nurses' jobs more efficient.

3. Ensure Adequate Infrastructure

Reliable technology is key to successful digital health use. If the internet or systems are unreliable, it can cause delays and frustration, which might even affect patient safety. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, nurses in aged care faced issues with basic infrastructure, like unreliable internet and power outages. 

It’s crucial to invest in strong infrastructure to support digital tools and help nurses deliver the best care.

4. Engage Nurses in Design and Development

Involving nurses in the design and development of new technology is vital. 

Nurses are the frontline users, and their feedback can ensure that the tools are practical and meet real-world needs. 

This can lead to more intuitive systems that improve workflows and accuracy. When nurses have a say in how technology is developed, it can result in better patient outcomes.

5. Foster a Collaborative Culture

Creating an environment of open communication and teamwork between nurses, tech developers, and healthcare leadership is crucial. 

A culture of collaboration allows for sharing ideas, addressing concerns, and continuously improving digital tools. 

Nurses should feel supported in providing feedback and helping shape technology solutions. 

By empowering nurses and valuing their input, healthcare organizations can make the most of digital tools, improving care and making healthcare a better experience for everyone.

Designing Healthcare Solutions with Nurses in Mind at SyS Creations

At SyS Creations, we understand that developing healthcare solutions goes beyond just building software—it’s about creating tools that truly support the people who use them. 

Nurses, being the backbone of patient care, are at the core of our design process. We actively collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure our solutions align with their needs, workflows, and challenges. 

By prioritizing user-friendly, integrated systems, we minimize the complexity of navigating multiple platforms, allowing nurses to focus more on direct patient care. 

We also emphasize robust training and infrastructure support, ensuring smooth adoption and long-term success.

As a Burlington-based company, we have a unique advantage—our deep understanding of the Canadian healthcare landscape. 

With over 10 years of experience in healthcare IT, SyS Creations is perfectly positioned to create solutions that meet local needs, comply with Canadian regulations, and enhance healthcare delivery across the country.