The study of Queensland nurses' attitude and behaviour towards computerisation in the workplace

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the attitude, intention and behaviour of Queensland nurses towards computerisation in their workplace using quantitative and qualitative survey methods. It also identifies possible mediators and moderators of this relationship using the Theory of Reasoned Action in a path model. Other moderating variables such as age group, previous computing experience, computing ability, computer usage, educational levels and gender were used in this study.

The Theory of Reasoned Action is used by Fishbein and Ajzen to predict volitional behaviour and to assist in understanding psychological determinants. One thousand questionnaires were distributed to registered nurses in Queensland and 330 (33%) valid responses were received. A qualitative telephone survey (n = 40) was also employed to validate the quantitative survey. The results of this study found that positive attitudes were found to influence the intention of nurses to use computers in the workplace.

Although normative beliefs and motivation to comply were found to have a direct influence on subjective norm, subjective norm was not found to be significantly associated with one's intention to perform the behaviour. However, a positive outcome evaluation and behavioural beliefs were found to be directly associated with one's behaviour which were mediated through positive attitudes. It was also demonstrated that all positive intentions produced positive behaviour (action of using computers at work).

The study demonstrated the positive effect of prior computing experiences before starting nursing and the effect of high computer usage frequency on one's intention. An inverse effect was demonstrated between nurses who had good experiences with computer and their intention to use computer. In addition, the study found that older, less educated female nurses demonstrated a higher intention to use computers in the workplace. The qualitative study also supported the quantitative study. The qualitative study provided the researcher with reasoning as to why nurses behave a certain way towards computerisation in the workplace. It was used as a reasoning tool to confirm some of the respondents' actions.

This research has its own limitations. It was conducted in late 1999 and computerisation has since then penetrated Australian hospitals to a greater extent than ever before. In addition, the survey tool could also be tested for its construct and criterion related validity. This would improve the sensitivity of the survey tool. Notwithstanding that, the results from this study would significantly benefit management in the identification of groups of nurses who are likely to resist the computerisation process in the workplace.