Table 5 Translation between studies: Hindering or promoting aspects for experiencing benefits through the IT

Alexander et al. [38]

Terminology was not understandable or did not match with the hard copy record

Equipment availability strongly affected staff perception (Number of workplaces and breakages)

Frustration set in when expectations were not met, problems not solved in a timely manner. This increased staff suspicion and decreased desire to work with the system.

Did not match what they intended to chart

The lack of equipment failures, and PC availability were viewed as contributing to overtime work and led to distrust in the system

All levels of staff indicated it was difficult to maintain a positive attitude about the system and move forward when the implementation wasn’t going smoothly

Staff appeared less comfortable without guidance

The lack of IT support, and PC availability were viewed as contributing to overtime work

When issues hindered job performance that led to dislike of the system and uncertainty about how to use the system correctly

Initial and ongoing training was a prominent theme

Cherry et al. [39]

Complex systems are difficult to navigate

Improved staff retention because of a sense of pride and empowerment associated with using computers in the work setting.

Barriers frequently mentioned were the quality of staff training

Fear of computers were identified as a barrier

Concerns about training

Strong initial and follow-up training

Cherry et al. [40]

Learning to use the computer is a negative aspect

The primarily disadvantage consistently reported by all were related to technology problems and maintenance

Administrators reported that the system contributed employee satisfaction and staff retention (“the facility is viewed as more modern and more attractive to potential new staff.”)

Nurses in supervisory positions were overwhelming positive about the system and would be very opposed to going back to the “precomputer” days.

Direct Care Staff:

Managers had a greater respect because they cared enough to give them computers for their work

Munyisia et al. [26]

Data in computerized records was located in various sections of the electronic system and, thus, difficult for the PCs and even the doctors to track the trend

Computerized documentation was not feasible at the bedside

We want a chronological view of this data to make care decisions

I am able to go from one resident to the next using the electronic system, but when I have 35 residents, that is a lot of clicking and switching screens

PCs charted certain information items on both paper and on a computer

We report blood pressure data on paper because we get very frustrated looking for a resident’s data from various sections of the electronic system.

Caregivers practice of double charting was partly caused by the way nursing data was organized in the system, making the data inconvenient to review

Rantz et al. [41]

Entered data could not be located later

The primarily disadvantage related to technology problems and maintenance

Some view documentation as a “waste of time” and documentation takes time away from the residents

Ongoing and refresher training of staff is important

Licensed and certified staff expressed concern that they could be watched by the monitoring of their documentation. On the other side, others saw the monitoring as a positive addition, since when reviewing the documentation they would know that the staff completed their assigned work

Frustration set in when the system don’t work (that causes more time)

Technology could be frustrating when it did not work

Using paper created a double documentation system. This creates more problems since information is inconsistently transferred

Yu et al. [35]

Some felt the software was very easy to use

Some wished for more practice instead of lessons

Zhang et al. [42]

We are still learning I feel, we are learning something new every day