Archived Professional News: March 2005
e-health moving closer
Information technology is a big-ticket item in government health budgets at the moment. The electronic health record is on its way and this will affect the way nurses access and use patient information (see www.healthconnect.gov.au).
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has funded the ANF to conduct a project investigating the use of information technology and information management systems by nurses.
The University of Southern Queensland is joining the ANF as a research partner on this project which aims to:
- identify the extent to which nurses have access to and use information technology and information management systems;
- identify the purposes for which nurses use information technology and information management systems;
- identify the readiness of nurses to participate in e-health initiatives such as the electronic health record;
- understand the barriers that prevent nurses from benefiting from information technology and information management systems;
- recommend ways to overcome these barriers and provide opportunities for nurses to better utilise information technology and information management systems within the government policy framework; and
- prepare a roadmap for access, education and training to meet the needs of nurses.
A series of focus groups will be held around the country and a survey will be distributed to nurses working in a wide range of settings in metropolitan, rural and remote areas.
If you receive a copy of the survey or you see an invitation to attend a focus group, please respond as we want to improve access to information technology and information management systems for nurses wherever they are working.
A website for this project will be established shortly. Check www.anf.org.au for details.
Taskforce update
The National Nursing and Nursing Education Taskforce has commenced work on six high priority areas identified in the recommendations from the 2002 report Our Duty of Care.
These are:
- Developing national standards for nurse practitioners;
- Conducting an audit of current research scholarships and research training places available, the trajectory of places over the next five years and issues affecting the rate of growth in places;
- Maximising education pathways including articulation between courses and a consistent approach to recognition of prior learning; and
- Conducting forums in the states and territories.
To monitor the work of NNNET, visit their website at www.nnnet.gov.au and register as a stakeholder.
Victoria Gilmore
ANF Federal Professional Officer