Computer says ‘no’. Are you ‘bovvered’?
Although information technology (IT) underpins 21st Century health care, the reality is that it unfurls at differing speeds across the UK. Similarly, nursing roles vary hugely and individuals have differing levels of interest and commitment to IT.
We know IT is the future and we know, in principle, IT is potentially a great tool to support nursing care, our clients and their families. We also know how much we can all potentially learn from the access to information and knowledge that IT offers.
The RCN IN forum’s fringe event at this year’s Congress, 'Computer says ‘no’. Are you ‘bovvered’?', is for all delegates, including nursing students who are the profession’s future leaders and practitioners, and will offer nurses at every level a dynamic, stimulating and challenging lunchtime.
We will start by sharing the latest results from the first phase of our current forum project which is investigating the e-Health/IT educational needs of nursing students and shortfalls they are experiencing. Then we will consider the essential role of IT enabled decision support throughout our careers, and what that might mean for us and others such as commercial suppliers.
If you are attending Congress 2008 (27 April–1 May), we hope you will come along and share your experiences, view some of the latest electronic decision support and explore the future in a fun but informative lunchtime!
Bernice Baker, Vice Chair of the IN Forum Committee