Has The Integration of Technology into Mental Health Nursing Practice Affected Levels of Competency?
Catherine Hungerford, Rose Roberts Mental Health ACT (Austalian Capital Territory), ACT, Australia Many jurisdictions around Australia have implemented computer programmes or similar tools to improve consumer outcomes (e.g. MHOAT in NSW, MHAGIC in the ACT). Broadly speaking, these programmes aim to facilitate, enable, standardise and safeguard the assessment, treatment, and care provided to mental health consumers; and allow for greater accessibility of clinical notes to all relevant members of the multidisciplinary team. However, results of a survey attached to a quality improvement project undertaken across acute inpatient and community settings in one Australian jurisdiction, identified some dissatisfaction amongst mental health nurses with the technology in relation to its impact upon their skills and competency. For example, when clinical documentation around assessment, treatment, and discharge is restricted to a particular framework, formula, or drop-down menu, clinical practice
