Michael is a nurse from the Philippines who decided to immigrate to California, USA. He was a nurse in the ICU of a tertiary hospital in Cebu for 10 years. During his orientation, he noticed that the hospital he is working in does not use paper charting. He has been using paper charts during the 10 years he worked as an ICU nurse and is worried that he may have some difficulty adapting to EHRs as he doesn’t consider himself as “tech savvy.”
Months later, Michael was tasked to give instructions to patients via telehealth. He has never used telehealth before and is sort of worried that he may not be able to give instructions to his patients properly. He prefers face to face meetings but he needs to give instructions to several patients and he is constrained with time. As part of the discharge planning, Michael needs to monitor the health status of one of his patients. He was told to use health apps and wearable devices to monitor the patient’s health. He has never had any experience working with health apps and wearable devices as these are not used in the hospital he used to work in. In the ICU, Michael was tasked to make a care plan for a patient using a CDSS.
Michael never had any experience working with CDSS in the hospital he used to work in. The Philippines faces challenges with technology in its hospitals. What should have Michael done before moving to California?”
The Philippines has earned the distinction of being the largest exporter of nurses worldwide. The Philippines has consistently supplied nurses to the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Filipino nurses are very sought after by many countries that they are considered the “best” in the world. Primarily because of their competence, their caring attitude, and proficiency in English. Filipino nurses also possess a positive work attitude, a deep aspiration for professional development, and excellent interpersonal relationship skills.
The healthcare industry is adapting to the formidable demands that a growing and aging population brings. Human lifespans are increasing but the morbidity of the population is also growing. With the growing needs of the healthcare industry, embracing technological advancements have made it possible to overcome some of these challenges. Although Filipino nurses are not lacking in soft skills such as communication skills, critical thinking skills, empathy, problem solving skills, adaptability, and a strong work ethic (skills that make Filipino nurses the “best” in the world), there is a need for Filipino nurses to acquire certain skills to function in an increasingly technological healthcare environment.
In the digital age, technology plays a critical role in the healthcare industry. Advanced technological skills are necessities for modern nurses in order to adapt to the healthcare industry’s changing landscape. The main reason why technology skills are integral for modern nurses is the influence it has on the improvement of patient care. The use of technology in healthcare by modern nurses enhances the overall quality of patient care. Provision of a more personalized and patient-centered care by nurses is made possible through the nurses’ proficiency in technology skills.
Essential technological skills for modern nurses
Proficiency in the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
EHRs have become an essential part of documentation in healthcare and is widely used around the world. Through the use of automation, EHRs have become the foundation for information, coordination of care, and all events and interactions that the patient engages in within an organization. EHRs are sources for key business operations and also serve as a data warehouse for other healthcare technologies and medical equipment. Modern nurses need to be proficient in the navigation of EHRs because using EHRs to their fullest potential can result in improved patient care by: being able to find information quickly; improves coordination of care with healthcare team members; reduces medication errors; and documents care interventions accurately. EHRs also optimizes workflow and improve nurses’ job satisfaction.
Competencies in Telehealth Nursing
Telehealth was underused until the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain an integral part of medical care. Telehealth offers many benefits like: increasing access to healthcare; reduces spread of communicable diseases by limiting physical contact; convenient because appointments can be held anywhere which results in saving money on travel; and enables healthcare providers to use their time more efficiently. Nurse-led telehealth interventions have emerged as a promising approach to enhance patient outcomes, improve patient engagement, and maximize resource utilization. Modern nurses will require more specific training on how to logistically manage telehealth technology and how to clinically navigate remote consultations.
Expertise in the use of mobile health applications and wearable devices
Mobile health applications and wearable devices in healthcare offer healthcare providers and patients with efficient methods of monitoring and managing health conditions. Mobile health applications and wearable devices enable nurses to track patient health through real-time monitoring of health parameters, promote patient health, empower patients to actively participate in their own care, coordinate patient care by enhancing communication between patients and healthcare providers, and support the nurses’ daily workflow. Modern nurses need to acquire skills to be able to effectively guide patients in incorporating mobile health applications and wearable devices into their routines.
Mastery in the use of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS)
Modern nurses need to have mastery in the use of CDSS as these systems provide nurses with evidence-based guidelines and relevant information that enhances their decision-making processes. Modern nurses need to be able to proficiently navigate CDSS interfaces, critically evaluate recommendations provided by CDSS, and understand data entry and retrieval. Skills like prompt engineering will help modern nurses obtain relevant results while utilizing the CDSS. Through the effective utilization of CDSS, modern nurses can significantly impact patient care by improving clinical outcomes, enhanced patient safety, efficient decision-making, and promotion of evidence-based practice.
Filipino nurses will continue to bring value and importance to healthcare systems in the future. However, Filipino nurses have to consider their relationship with technology to remain relevant in digitally enabled societies and healthcare systems. Advancements in technology will play a crucial role in allowing modern nurses to connect more with patients and make their information more accessible. If technology can improve patient experience and care, nurses should be more open to these advancements. Modern Filipino nurses should be able to continue to provide compassionate care in a digital world by upgrading their skill sets in order to adapt to a rapidly changing and technologically advanced healthcare environment of the future.
This opinion piece is written by Joseph Andrew T. Pepito, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor IV at the College of Allied and Medical Sciences, Cebu Doctors’ University.
Reference:
Pepito, J. A., & Locsin, R. (2019). Can Nurses Remain Relevant in a Technologically Advanced Future? International Journal of Nursing Science, DOI information: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2018.09.013.
