The technology acceptance of outpatient department nurses toward nursing instruction information systems

Background: The integration of Decision Support System (DSS) with nursing instruction information systems not only provides more alternatives for nursing use but also produces individualized nursing instructions for patient care needs.

Purpose: This study applied the Technology Acceptance Model (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, use attitude, use intention) as a framework to design a questionnaire to survey the technology acceptance of nurses toward the nursing instruction information system. Furthermore, this study explored the outcome of technology use both with and without an embedded DSS.

Methods: Nurses working in an outpatient department of a medical center at which a DSS was embedded into the nursing instruction information system were recruited to complete a questionnaire survey on technology acceptance. Data downloaded from the database for 4‐month pre‐and‐post results were analyzed to compare the differences in usage.

Results: Results indicate that perceived usefulness was rated higher than perceived ease of use, with actual use increasing significantly from 191.3 to 1308.5 times per month (Z = ‐3.72, p < .001). Usage in different categories increased significantly as well (Z = ‐3.52, p < .001). Variables of the technology acceptance model did not affect actual use. Conclusion: Although DSS implementation increased actual usage, the variables did not increase usage. This may be attributable to the features of the DSS, interface design, workflow, and print speed.