![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 3:05 PM
Learning Objective 1: compose informed commentary on student use of PDA technology in the hospital setting.
Learning Objective 2: review an instrument developed to measure innovativeness according to Rogers' theory of Diffusion of Innovations.
The personal digital assistant (PDA) is one method to increase availability of up-to-date information, increase patient safety and decrease errors. This study explored nursing students’ adoption of technological innovations in the classroom and clinical area as exemplified by use of PDAs. Rodger’s Diffusion of Innovation, including the characteristics of innovations, served as framework for this study. A modified survey was tested and utilized to assess students’ perceptions of technology adoption, as well as current utilization and problems with the innovation. Assessment of the students’ learning preference was done using the VARK learning mode assessment. Comparisons were made on frequency of problems, acceptance of technology, skill level, and integration of the PDA into daily activities for the different learning preferences. The instrument sample consisted of 155 students enrolled in a school of nursing which requires PDA use in the clinical setting, with the learning mode analysis on a subset of this sample (n = 106). Findings included acceptance scores higher in the accelerated groups (p = 0.028) and those subjects with a greater range of PDA usage (p = 0.000). Consequently, lower acceptance scores were associated with a higher problem incidence (p = 0.036). No significant differences were found in scores when comparing different learning modes. Open ended questions on the survey revealed that subjects considered battery life, software issues, lack of speed, and memory limitations as major problems with the PDA. Subjects also requested more PDA education and training, and provided their opinions of the PDA.