NURSING SHOULD BE ON PAR WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE RELEVANCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The nursing profession should be on par with
the development of technology to ensure its relevance in the current era, said
Chancellor of Open University Malaysia (OUM) Jeanne Abdullah.

The wife of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said it was critical to
utilise basic nursing concepts with technology to transform the manner nursing
care was conceptualised and delivered.

In keeping with the times, she said, technology should be well integrated with
nursing as it could present a potent combination to contribute enormously to a
patient's health and well-being.

"Thus, integrating technology and caring behaviour in this profession can
improve the service provided and maximise the desired patient outcome," Jeanne
said in her keynote address before officiating the International Conference on
Nursing (Icon 2010) here Tuesday.

The two-day conference titled 'Technology and Innovation in Nursing' is
organised by OUM and aimed at providing opportunities for participants to
deliberate on issues pertaining to clinical practices, education and management
in nursing.

On the use of technology, Jeanne said it would bode well for the nursing field
as it helped nurses provide a higher quality of care and reduced human error.

Meanwhile, she said the forum would be significant for participants to share and
discuss how to implement the new concept to the caring profession.

"This conference will be focusing on how technology can contribute to health
care efficiency, quality, safety, and would also enhance nurses' decision-making
and patient care while easing overall workloads.

"This conference will enable all the participants to speak up, share ideas and
experiences in using technology to improve nursing care in the country, as well
as globally," she noted.

The inaugural international conference is attended by 222 participants from 22
countries, including Malaysia. Thirty papers will be presented at the event.
-- BERNAMA