Phenomenological Study of Older Home Health Nurses' Lived Experience with the Implementation and Usage of a Computerized Clinical Documentation System

Author

Theresa M. Turk, Fort Hays State University

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

DOI

10.58809/TTDX9711

Date of Award

Spring 2009

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Dr. Karyolyn Kells

Abstract

Home health agencies have been slow to move into the age of computerized point-of-care (POC) documentation oftentimes due to limited budgets and resources. These limited resources included clinical staff. Previous research has examined the traits of POC technology, the aging nurse population, and the attitudes of nurses towards computerized documentation. NO studies examining older home health nurses and computerized documentation were identified. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the lived experience of older home health nurses during the implementation and use of POC documentation. Parse’s (1998) Human Becoming theory guided the research development. A Husserlian (1936/1970) phenomenological qualitative design was used in order to discover patterns and the underlying themes within these nurses’ experiences. In this investigation, five nurses between the ages of 45 and 64 were interviewed and encouraged to describe their experiences using POC documentation. They were given a Letter of Introduction. The Participant Questionnaire, and the Consent to Participate and to be Audiotape form. The interviews were transcribes and the data analyzed. Themes were uncovered: Rethinking/Relearning, Just forget It, Muddle Our Way Through, and A different Direction. The central theme to this investigation was change: uncertainty, anger, and acceptance. This theme indicated that older nursed go through a change process. The nurses using POC documentation move from feelings of uncertainty, to anger, and they finally to acceptance. Future research should be conducted with a larger sample size to validate the findings of this investigation. Implications for nursing practice, education and theory were discussed.

Comments

For questions contact ScholarsRepository@fhsu.edu

Recommended Citation

Turk, Theresa M., "Phenomenological Study of Older Home Health Nurses' Lived Experience with the Implementation and Usage of a Computerized Clinical Documentation System" (2009). Master's Theses. 3118.
DOI: 10.58809/TTDX9711
Available at: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/3118

Rights

© 2009 Theresa M. Turk