AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF REGISTERED NURSES’ EXPERIENCES IN PATIENT INFORMATION PRIVACY AND SECURITY WITHIN THE PROVINCES OF ALBERTA(AB) AND SASKATCHEWAN(SK)
Date
2021-04-13
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative research was to gain a better understanding of the experiences of registered nurses in patient information privacy and security in Alberta (AB) and Saskatchewan (SK) health regions. Studies of this nature are rarely if ever conducted as topics like ethics, breaches, and self-reflection of our own professional practices are sensitive in nature to all health care professionals. Exploring patient information security/privacy falls into this delicate and complex category. As an outsider to the nursing profession/discipline,I had the privilege of conducting this study.Surprisingly, twenty nurses from the medical/surgical/critical care specialties did agree to participate in this study. Interpretive Description (ID) was the methodology chosen for this study. Face to face interviews were conducted with twelve nurses from large and small cities in each of two neighboring Prairie provinces in Canada. Nine nurses from AB and eleven nurses from SK shared their experiences of compliance to their regulatory health information Acts in each province: The Alberta Health Information Act (HIA), and the Saskatchewan Health Information Protection Act (HIPA). Unexpectedly, new definitions of what constitutes patient information privacy and security, and what comprises a breach of patient information occurring was interpreted from the data.These new key definitions were interpreted from the described experiences of the nurses themselves, as the trusted protector of patient information. Comparisons were made between the two provinces on the perceptions/experiences of nurses with regard to the security and privacy of electronic records compared to paper records.A trusted relationship builds between the nurse and the patient with regard to patient or health information. Family relationships were to be among the most challenging. Breaches were found to occur intentionally or unintentionally.Findings and recommendations from this study will add to the knowledge-base of nursing and health care professional practice, ethics and informatics. The findings could also positively influence the personal attitudes of nurses towards patient information privacy
Description
Keywords
Registered Nurse, Patient, Patient Information, Patient Information Management System, Electronic Record Systems, Paper Records, Electronic Health Records (EHR), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Privacy, Breach, Experience, Qualitative
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Program
Interdisciplinary Studies