Registered nurses' experiences of information systems at the beginning of wellbeing services counties in Finland

Authors

• Tuulikki Vehko Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki
• Maiju Kyytsönen Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7609-0370
• Anu-Maria Kaihlanen Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4033-3673
• Kaija Saranto University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3610-3998
• Ulla-Mari Kinnunen University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3610-3998

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.136345

Keywords:

information systems, nurses, health services research, surveys and questionnaires, competencies

Abstract

Registered nurses' experiences of information systems have been studied as part of the monitoring of the implementation of the Finnish eHealth and eSocial 2020 Strategy theme ‘Smart Systems for Capable Users’. This evaluation study provides up-to-date information and a better understanding about experiences that registered nurses have related to client and patient information systems.

A modified electronic survey, based on previous data collections in 2017 and 2020 was sent by the Finnish Nurses Association and Tehy in the spring of 2023. After one reminder, 2,970 responses were received. Descriptive methods were used in the analyses of the survey conducted in the cross-sectional setting.

The majority (70%) of the registered nurses were highly experienced or experienced users in client and patient information systems (briefly systems). The systems support collaboration and information exchange was satisfactory level within respondents' own organisation but not between registered nurses in different organisations or between registered nurses and patients. At least half of respondents assessed that systems help to ensure continuity of care, and help in preventing errors and mistakes associated with medications, but the results were slightly lower level related to systems potential to avoid duplicate tests and systems potential to improve quality of care. The majority (76%) of the respondents assess that it is difficult to see the essential information from a considerable amount of data. The majority (75%) stated that the system takes too much time out of the nurse’s time with patients. In public health centres 29% used daily Kanta Services for obtaining patient data from another organisation, but the proportions were lower level at public hospitals (11%) and private sector (10%). In public health centres majority (58%) assess unsatisfactory situations related to inhouse training in system use, and similarly 59% point out that employers did not offer continuous training in systems use.

After the wellbeing counties have just started operating, the monitoring carried out did not have significant changes in the registered nurses’ experiences of the systems compare to the results of 2020. Obtaining patient data via Kanta Services increased between 2020 and 2023 and this development must be monitored. Organisations should provide adequate in-service training for staff in changing work processes.