Tso Ying conducted an excellent research paper in 2017, discussing the roles and functions of Informatics Nurse Specialists in Taiwan. His article, The Roles and Functions of Informatics Nurse Specialists in Taiwan covers a variety of insights regarding the topic of discussion, including complementary information such as the framework of the certification system. Tso Ying (2017) acknowledges the developments of information technology which has facilitated innovation across nursing care services. However, Tso Ying notes that the job description under discussion is still in its early stages in Taiwan despite the Taiwan Nursing Informatics Association (TNIA) having a clear explanation of the role and requirements.
In his discussion, Tso Ying describes how the role has evolved giving rise to two large functions which are independent and coordinating tasks. The article states eleven independent roles such as solving problems, while briefly describing the coordinating parts which include improving the professional ability of nurses and providing education through analysis, planning, or continuing education. Tso Ying’s work mirrors Feng et al. (2010) by noting similar roles of the Informatics Nurses. They both concur in the role of innovation and development, more so in research of clinical care guidelines.
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Tso Ying further looked into the training of informatics nurses and pointed out that some Taiwanese universities offer courses which introduce concepts of nursing informatics within the general nursing programs. Also, the increased importance of the information technology role has led to some universities making it mandatory for the informatics courses to be taken. The informatics courses include programs such as computer software, which altogether accounts for 20 credits in the complete course evaluation. Moreover, other universities are offering graduate programs in the course.
According to Tso Ying (2017), the certification process was first drafted in 2014 by the TNIA based on survey results by Feng et al. (2010). The requirements noted include having a bachelor’s degree in nursing, two or more years of clinical experience and at least one-year practical expertise in informatics. The course requirements include at least 30 hours of informatics courses during the past three years, i.e., not before 2011 by the time the regulations were put into action. Certifications were first accepted in February 2015, having only, certified 48 nurses as of September 2016.
Tso Ying concluded his study by acknowledging the importance of nursing informatics. He also noted that informatics nurses need to continuously stay informed on information technology to help other healthcare professionals get ready for the new era in medical information technology.
References
Feng, RC., Liu, JT., Chang, ML., and Wang, MH. (2010). Assessing the feasibility of expanding the roles and functions of nurses: the roles and functions of informatics nurses. Research Project Number DOH099-TD-M-113-099005. Taipei: Taiwan Nursing Informatics Association .
Tso Ying, L. E. E. (2017, January). The Roles and Functions of Informatics Nurse Specialists in Taiwan. In Forecasting Informatics Competencies for Nurses in the Future of Connected Health: Proceedings of the Nursing Informatics Post Conference 2016 (Vol. 232, p. 97). IOS Press.
