As someone who is not a “technology guru” or “technology forward”, I start this post by
understanding what nursing informatics is defined as. According to the American Nurses
Informatics Association (ANIA, 2020), nursing informatics combines nursing science with analytical
sciences and multiple factors of information to manage and communicate data. This role ultimately
bridges the gap between clinical perspective and technical perspectives. Starting with this, it has
helped me understand the place for informatics in the nursing world. It is, without a doubt, a
technologically advanced world we live in and the mere data that we collect on our patients is
important, and should be protected, however accessible to the right set of eyes. It should also be
easy to maneuver through the data for, not only those that may not be the best at data collection and
input, but also for those that are putting together data for patient safety events, profitability
purposes, and integrating new divisions of charting.
For this first discussion, I would like to discuss health literacy and how it relates to nursing
informatics. I believe my above example gives some insight into health literacy and informatics, but I
will try to expand on this. Health literacy is a combination of an individual’s motivation, capacity,
and skill set to be able to access and comprehend health information to promote good health
(Nelson & Staggers, 2018). According to the National Literacy Directory (2020), the average
American reads at a 7th or 8th grade level. While our nation’s reading average is not so great, I have
personally witnessed those that may not be “book smart” hack an iPhone, debug a streaming device,
or illegally download movies that are still in theaters. It is important to note that while many may not
be able to read health literature and may not be able to understand it, they still have the skillset to
learn. eHealth is a combination of basic literacy skills along with basic computer skills. eHealth is an
evolving approach for reducing the burden of chronic disease involves engaging patients in health
promotion activities which require prolonged behavior change (Ahern et al., 2016). eHealth
programs offer the potential for enhanced reach, including traditionally underserved populations, at
relatively low cost; scalability; time efficiency; and the capacity to provide tailoring and
customization for individual patients and consumers. While I do not believe eHealth will solve
literacy, I do feel that this has expanded health literacy with the help of informatics. With our
younger generations relying so much on computer skills and social media, informatics specialties can
help integrate health literature into an approachable subject. How many of us wear a smart watch? I
do and I have daily goals set on my watch with notifications so I know how many steps I take, how
long I am standing, how many calories I burn, and how well I sleep at night. Honestly, that is just
the basics, we can talk about how my watch can read my heart rhythm and notify me if it is
abnormal. If you knew nothing about being healthy or going to the doctor, but you had this watch
that one day said your heart was beating abnormal, would you google that? Health literacy starts with
the basics and with the help of informatics, health care can change the way we perceive health
promotion.
Health literacy and nursing informatics share a crucial relationship in healthcare delivery. Health
literacy refers to an individual's ability to understand and utilize health-related information to make
informed decisions and engage in self-care. On the other hand, nursing informatics involves the
integration of information, technology, and healthcare to support nursing practice, enhance patient
care, and improve health outcomes. By exploring the intersection of health literacy and nursing
informatics, we can uncover opportunities to promote patient education, enhance communication,
and optimize healthcare delivery.
Nursing informatics plays a vital role in addressing health literacy challenges by leveraging
technology and information systems to provide accessible and personalized health information.
Electronic health records (EHRs) serve as repositories of comprehensive patient information,
allowing nurses to access relevant data and tailor educational materials to individuals' specific needs.
Through EHRs, nurses can document health education interventions, track patient progress, and
identify areas where additional support is required.
Furthermore, nursing informatics facilitates effective communication between healthcare providers
and patients. Communication tools such as secure messaging platforms and patient portals enable
nurses to deliver timely and accurate health information, answer patient queries, and address
concerns. By using these platforms, nurses can overcome barriers of time and distance, ensuring that
patients have access to the information they need to actively participate in their care.
Nursing informatics also supports the creation and delivery of patient education materials in a
variety of formats. Digital health platforms and mobile applications offer interactive and engaging
resources that can be tailored to individuals' literacy levels and preferences. These platforms provide
visual aids, videos, and interactive modules that enhance comprehension and promote health
literacy. Additionally, nursing informatics facilitates the integration of multilingual capabilities,
ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency can access health information in their
preferred language.
Another critical aspect of nursing informatics in relation to health literacy is the development and
utilization of decision support systems. These systems provide evidence-based guidelines and alerts
to healthcare providers, empowering nurses to deliver accurate and up-to-date information to
patients. By having access to decision support tools, nurses can provide clear and consistent
information, reduce errors, and improve patient understanding.
Moreover, nursing informatics contributes to the evaluation and measurement of health literacy
outcomes. Data analytics and reporting capabilities inherent in information systems allow nurses to
assess the effectiveness of health education interventions, identify gaps in knowledge, and tailor
future interventions accordingly. By monitoring health literacy outcomes, nurses can refine their
approaches, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the impact of their interventions on
patient education and empowerment.
As an advocate for patient-centered care and a nurse passionate about harnessing the power of
technology, I have come to recognize the significant relationship between health literacy and nursing
informatics. Health literacy, which encompasses an individual's ability to understand and utilize
health information, plays a vital role in promoting informed decision-making and self-care. Similarly,
nursing informatics, with its focus on integrating technology and information systems into
healthcare, offers valuable tools to enhance patient education, communication, and overall
healthcare delivery.
In my nursing practice, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of health literacy on patient outcomes.
Patients with limited health literacy face challenges in comprehending medical jargon, understanding
treatment plans, and navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. These barriers can lead to
misunderstandings, non-adherence to medications, and increased healthcare utilization. Recognizing
this, I have turned to nursing informatics as a powerful ally in bridging the health literacy gap.
Through the use of electronic health records (EHRs), I have been able to access comprehensive
patient information, enabling me to tailor health education materials to each individual's specific
needs. EHRs serve as valuable repositories of patient data, allowing me to identify areas where
additional support and education are required. Armed with this information, I have been able to
provide personalized health information, using plain language and visual aids, to enhance patient
understanding and engagement.
In addition to EHRs, nursing informatics has empowered me to utilize communication tools that
facilitate effective patient-provider interactions. Secure messaging platforms and patient portals have
become essential tools in delivering timely and accurate health information. Through these
platforms, I have been able to address patient queries, provide follow-up instructions, and offer
ongoing support. By utilizing these communication tools, I have been able to overcome barriers of
time and distance, ensuring that patients have access to the information they need when they need it.
One of the most exciting aspects of nursing informatics is the development and utilization of digital
health platforms and mobile applications. These innovative resources offer interactive and engaging
educational materials that can be tailored to individuals' literacy levels and preferences. By
incorporating visual aids, videos, and interactive modules, these platforms enhance comprehension
and promote health literacy. I have witnessed the positive impact of these tools firsthand, as patients
become actively engaged in their care and take ownership of their health.
Moreover, nursing informatics supports the use of decision support systems, which provide
evidence-based guidelines and alerts to healthcare providers. With access to these systems, I am
equipped with the most up-to-date information, allowing me to provide clear and consistent health
information to my patients. This not only improves patient understanding but also reduces the
likelihood of errors and enhances the overall quality of care.
As a nurse, I recognize the importance of evaluating and measuring the impact of health literacy
interventions. Nursing informatics provides data analytics and reporting capabilities that allow me to
assess the effectiveness of my health education interventions. By monitoring health literacy
outcomes, I can refine my approaches, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the impact
of my interventions on patient education and empowerment.
As I continue my journey as a nurse, I am committed to integrating nursing informatics and health
literacy in my practice. By leveraging the power of technology, information systems, and decision
support tools, I strive to provide accessible and tailored health information that empowers my
patients. The synergy between health literacy and nursing informatics not only improves patient
outcomes but also strengthens the nurse-patient relationship, fostering a patient-centered approach
to healthcare that aligns with my passion for compassionate and holistic care.
Nursing informatics and health literacy are interconnected aspects of healthcare delivery. Nursing
informatics offers tools and strategies to enhance patient education, facilitate communication, and
promote health literacy. By leveraging technology, information systems, and decision support tools,
nurses can provide accessible and tailored health information, empowering individuals to make
informed decisions and actively participate in their care. The integration of nursing informatics and
health literacy not only improves patient outcomes but also strengthens the nurse-patient
relationship, fostering a patient-centered approach to healthcare.
According to Johnson (2013), a Christian Scientist, health literacy and spirituality play an important
role in patient care. Spiritual wellbeing is important in health and lifestyle and we should investigate
what spiritual practices might improve our health as well. As a bedside nurse, I have sat next to
patients and prayed with them in their time of need, some admitting to me that they were not
religious, but more spiritual. With these patients, they did not always understand what was going on
with their health, but they did believe that the power of positivity and belief in something greater is
part of the healing process. The New International Version Bible, Proverbs 3:8 reminds us, “Trust
in the Lord … this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
References
Ahern, D. K., Kreslake, J. M., & Phalen, J. M. (2016). What is eHealth (6): perspectives on the
evolution of eHealth research. Journal of medical Internet research, 8(1), e4.
https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8.1.e4
American Nurses Informatics Association. (2020). https://www.ania.org/
Johnson, Kate. (2013). Spirituality is key to health literacy. Christian Science, 13(3), 5-7. National
Literacy Directory. (2020, August 25). U.S. Literacy Facts. https://www.nld.org/page/facts Nelson,
R., &
Staggers, N. (2018). Health Informatics: An Interprofessional Approach. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323402316/
