Critical role of information and communication technology in nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim: To examine the need for information and communication technology (ICT)-based nursing care in improving patient management during the pandemic. Background: Maintaining traditional approaches to nursing in the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic predisposes health care systems to a risk of diminished quality of care. Using ICT (real-time videoconferencing, mobile robots and artificial intelligence) could reduce burnout and infection risks by minimizing face-to-face contact. Method: Qualitative descriptive design with content analysis. Results: Overall, 24 participants (14 nurses, six medical/nursing informatics experts and four technology experts) were interviewed. Three main themes were extracted: emerging challenges for nurses due to COVID-19, impact of new technology on patient and nurse experiences and concerns with implementation of technology. Conclusion: A significant portion of nurses' work was unrelated to professional nursing, causing burnout. ICT could help reduce nurses' burden by facilitating environmental management and non-contact communication and providing emotional support for patients. Implications for Nursing Management: Establishing an ICT-based nursing care system that considers the physical environment and communication infrastructure of health care institutions, user's digital health literacy and user safety to effectively manage non-nursing care-related activities and undertake tasks that can be delegated may improve the quality of care for quarantined patients and reduce risk of cross-infection.