Using TIGER Competencies to Assess Faculty Readiness to Incorporate Electronic Health Record Documentation in Baccalaureate Nursing Courses

Multiple organizations and national reports call for the integration of informatics and technology into nursing education. However, students have very limited access to live electronic health record documentation and abstraction of data in clinical agencies due to legal and accreditation concerns. In order, to assist students in learning how to document and utilize electronic health data, a web-based educational EHR was introduced into a baccalaureate curriculum.

A faculty assessment survey of computer competencies and learning needs was designed using The Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) (http://www.tigersummit.com/About_Us.html) Information Management competencies. The following research questions were used to frame the study: 1) what are the computer competencies and learning needs of the faculty, and, 2) what resources will faculty need in order to integrate an online educational electronic health record into their courses?

 A paper based survey was distributed to faculty members in a medium sized regional baccalaureate program. The survey was approved by the institutional review board and all responses were anonymous.

            Sixty two percent of the faculty members completed the survey. Results indicated that 85% of the respondents were comfortable with their ability to manage individual data points in an electronic health record environment. However, 75% of the participants were not comfortable with higher order skill sets which required them to retrieve and interpret aggregate data for individuals or groups of patients.

            Based on the results of this survey, faculty development efforts were focused on higher level concepts and skills. Quality and safety initiatives which utilize aggregate data for identification of trends and outcomes required additional instruction and practice. Faculty members who identified the need to brush up on the basic skills were provided with online and face to face tutorials. Faculty members have integrated the educational electronic health record program into the classrooms, simulations and clinical settings.