Computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety in a hospital social work and nursing case management department.

Abstract

The current health care delivery system increasingly relies upon information technology (IT) to more effectively and efficiently meet patient needs. The present study examined the relationship of computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and perceived computer usefulness to performance utilizing IT programs by clinical staff in a hospital-based social work and nursing case management department. Use of IT programs within the hospital setting was assessed by self-reported frequency of use of the shared drive system of electronic resources and by observed behavioral proficiency in completing a computerized search task of resources on the shared drive. Computer self-efficacy was assessed by a self-report survey adapted from the Computer Self-Efficacy Scale developed by Murphy, Coover, and Owen (1989). Computer anxiety was assessed by Johnson's (2005) self-report survey version of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale adapted to reflect the specific IT programs utilized in the hospital setting. Computer usefulness was assessed by a modified version of the self-report Usefulness survey developed by Franz and Robey (1986). All of the 45 participants completed the self-report survey measures, with 27 also completing the computerized search task. An alpha level of .05 was used for all statistical tests. The results indicated significant relationships between observed behavioral proficiency on the computerized search task and self-reported ratings of computer self-efficacy and computer anxiety. Higher task proficiency was associated with higher computer self-efficacy ratings. Lower task proficiency was associated with higher computer anxiety. More frequent self-reported use of the shared drive system was significantly associated with higher ratings of computer usefulness.