Supporting pre-registration students in practice: A review of current ICT use.

Full Abstract

It is unclear how current healthcare students based in the United Kingdom (UK) use information and communication technology (ICT) to support their learning and care delivery in practice environments. This position reflects the dearth of current empirical evidence that needs development in this rapidly changing field. Using focus group interviews involving 16 students from nursing and the allied health professions, to reflect the interprofessional nature of healthcare education, this research explored how students employ technology in placement settings. The students drew on networked resources for personal learning and gave examples of use to meet patient and user needs. Technology also provided a vehicle for communication with the University, though use was complicated by a number of issues. Access to computers and the Internet whilst in placement environments proved problematic for some, with the culture not seeming to support ICT use. Lack of time, attitudes towards computers and ICT skills also affected student engagement. These findings provide information to guide the development of ICT use in placement settings.

Author information

Author/s: Ward, Rod (R); Moule, Pam (P);

Affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1DD, United Kingdom. Rod.Ward(-atsign-)uwe.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Nurse education today (Nurse Educ Today), published in Scotland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 27 (issue 1) : pp 60-7

Dates: Created 2006/12/12; Completed 2007/03/02;

PMID: 16624450, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.