Informatics frameworks and models are very useful in organizing the implementation, acceptance, and use of health information technologies (HIT) within healthcare organizations and nursing practice (Wang et al., 2019). Such frameworks and models allow us to organize data simply, so it is possible to understand more deeply the mechanisms of interrelationships between technology factors, people, processes, and organization elements and to use those information technologies effectively. This discussion describes some of the core informatics models and workflows that apply to healthcare units and nursing practices.
Among the frameworks is the Nursing Informatics Life Cycle (NILC). NILC is a nursing informatics framework that has been developed for use by the nursing profession. It encompasses six phases: analysis, design, development, deployment, evaluation, and monitoring. Such a framework is intended to cover different aspects of the introduction and maintenance of information systems in nursing, including identifying the necessity of a system and providing further support for its improvement. The other framework is the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework. SDLC provides an IT division framework that is acknowledged by many (Singletary & Baker, 2019). It consists of several phases that include ones like planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. In healthcare organizations, SDLC is a stable methodology for the creation and implementation of information systems. Those methods are good enough to consider based on the strategic objectives of the university as well as the needs of the users.
Socio-technical systems theory can also be used in healthcare settings and clinical practice. The approach recognizes technology, social, and organizational factors as the main drivers for the successful implementation of informatics innovations. On the other hand, it points out that there must be a careful balancing act among technology, people, and processes that serves as a good example of a holistic approach to IT integration. Besides that, TAM (Technological Acceptance Model) is a central part of healthcare. TAM is an accepted model describing the processes underlying when users decide to integrate a new technology into their daily practice. It regards factors such as usefulness and easy access as two main determinants of users’ attitudes toward all technologies. In the domains of health institutions and nursing practice, the implementation of health literacy systems by TAM is underlined, and ways of engagement are suggested. As well as diffusion of innovation theory investigates determinants of innovation variability and stresses the role of information channels in the diffusion process (Wang et al., 2019). The concept can be used as a base for coming up with techniques to enhance information technology usage among different players in the field.
In my practice as a nurse, I wholeheartedly embrace informatics frameworks and models to enhance my practice and the effective application of health information technologies within our healthcare organization. One of the key tenets I seek to uphold is that informatics solutions are socio-technical, as shown in the Socio-Technical Systems Theory. As such, these technologies’ success depends not solely on their technical capabilities but also on the interaction between people, processes, and organizational factors. Applying methods such as the Nursing Informatics Life Cycle (NILC) and Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), I proactively engage in various phases of informatics solution implementation, including needs analysis, design, evaluation, and maintenance (Singletary & Baker, 2019). My participation means that the process is tailor-made to meet the specific needs and workflow of nursing care, thus improving patient care delivery.
Singletary, V., & Baker, E. L. (2019). Building Informatics-Savvy Health Departments: the systems development life cycle. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 25(6), 610-611. https://doi.org/02115131449Links to an external site.
Wang, J., Gephart, S. M., Mallow, J., & Bakken, S. (2019). Models of collaboration and dissemination for nursing informatics innovations in the 21st century. Nursing outlook, 67(4), 419–432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2019.02.003Links to an external site.
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