Technology shapes just about every sector of society, and the healthcare industry is no exception. Technological advancements bring benefits for patients and professionals alike. After all, these developments are responsible for the widespread use of electronic health records, updated and more accurate diagnostic testing and growth in care coordination. Individuals working in travel nursing jobs have a unique role in the development and use of technology, especially as it pertains to mobile health tools. Discover how individuals in this healthcare position can leverage mobile health tools to increase efficiency and promote better patient well-being outcomes.
Make it the norm
The better acquainted travel nurses are with mobile health tools, the greater perspective they can gain on their varied uses. Many healthcare professionals recognize this connection and actively work to integrate these devices into their everyday duties. A 2015 InCrowd survey found that 88 percent of nurses who owned smartphones reported that they use the device on the job, and the portion of nurses who utilize smartphones at work is higher than that of doctors. This may be due to the increased one-on-one interactions nurses have with patients.
According to the survey, looking up drug information was the No. 1 reason nurses pulled out these devices. Additionally, 72 percent of respondents said they use smartphones to research diseases, and 69 percent reported using the technology to communicate with colleagues. These results demonstrate that smartphones, when utilized as a mobile health tool, are resourceful for gaining new information and staying connected with co-workers on the job.
Don't think mobile health tools are the be-all and end-all
Survey respondents emphasized that they don't view smartphones as a replacement for physicians and other colleagues. However, many reported opting for this strategy in lieu of reaching out to co-workers. Specifically, 52 percent of respondents said they have used the devices to answer questions or validate concerns instead of consulting with a fellow nurse because it saved time.
To be sure, efficiency is key in nursing. Health concerns can't necessarily be put on hold, and other healthcare professionals aren't always available to answer questions. It's important for nurses to use sound judgment when deciding whether consulting their smartphone will truly yield just as effective results as speaking with a colleague.
Use the right sources
Beyond deciding when it's appropriate to use the Internet versus talking to another person, nurses must also pick the right sources for accurate information. As you know, not everything you read online is true, but certain websites are all too clever at portraying themselves as experts.
When in doubt, turn to these trusted resources:
- Mayo Clinic.
- National Institutes of Health.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center.
- National Guideline Clearinghouse.
Consider patient education
Nurses often take a more holistic approach to patient care, focusing on the individual's overall well-being by emphasizing both effective treatment plans and health education. Mobile health tools can help with this process if used correctly.
Rebecca Schnall, an assistant professor at Columbia University School of Nursing, N.Y, has been developing and advocating for the use of mobile health tools for the past decade, according to Nurse.com. She has used these devices to help patients with HIV manage their symptoms and believes these tools can serve all patients with chronic conditions.
"Given the proliferation and growth of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease and our aging population with comorbid conditions, [mHealth] work is timely and of great import for helping improve the lives of persons living with chronic diseases," Schnall said.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 117 million Americans had a chronic condition in 2012, which is equivalent to about half of the adult population. Common illnesses include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. As such, mobile health tools may be especially advantages to nurses working in units that see many of these patients, such as cardiac or oncology.
Of course, selecting the right tools for the job is of key importance considering there are so many devices and applications available. Part of this choice depends on the condition and the patient's lifestyle. For instance, Terri H. Lipman of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, found that a text messaging system was beneficial for adolescent patients with Type 1 diabetes. according to Nurse.com. The patients, who were between 10-17 years old, were messaged reminders on managing their symptoms and living and overall healthy lifestyle with their condition.
Think about work environment
Nurses have reported that mobile health tools allow them to be more efficient on the job, but quickly looking up diseases or medications isn't the only way to leverage this technology on a day-to-day basis. The work environment can help dictate which applications will best serve these healthcare professionals' needs.
For instance, MediBabble Translator, a medication dictionary app that translates between languages, can help staff communicate with non-English speaking patients. This is especially useful for travel nurses working in locales with a large English-as-a-second-language population, such as in large cities or southern portions of the U.S.
Remember, mobile health tools shouldn't entirely replace human conversations. Healthcare professionals bring important perspectives from their unique experiences.