Abstract
The literature concerning the practice of professional care, in the digital age, is littered with terms that are set to aid further articulation of the phenomena. Yet some buzzwords, such as ‘Telenursing’ or ‘eNursing’, are neither explicitly defined nor consistently used – leading to difficulties in the sharing of common understanding. Moreover, the plethora of concepts and ideas hinders efforts to design research that explores the contribution of, and impact on, nursing stemming from rapid developments in this constantly evolving arena.
The reviewed paper presents a culmination of research efforts to describe and explain activities or the practice of caring in a virtual environment. The conceptual framework and the associated themes offer a new terminology with which to explore what is coined ‘cyberspace’. Uniquely, the paper couples the language and behaviours of users on digital (social) platforms with a core nursing theory (Orem, 1995). By doing so, the authors offer a new prism with which to explore self-care activities and take account of new and innovative ways to enable people to maintain and enhance their sense of well-being.
However, while the language of cyber nursing should contribute to efforts to advance knowledge through research, which the authors claim is most needed, the paper also raises some concerns. The learning pathway that enables novice professionals to grasp the essence of nursing – the art and science of caring – gives students the tools and holistic knowledge to competently care for people. The risk to the ‘cyber patient’ from administration of care by ‘cyber cowboys’ should not be underestimated.
It was argued that in order to support nursing in a digital age, professionals need a language with which to express the essence and value of nursing. Clark (2003) stressed the necessity to identify and use the right terminology that makes the contribution of nursing visible. In 21st century healthcare provision, where electronic systems are being used to support effective and efficient patient care, this plea remains current. Digital systems must capture data that clearly demonstrate what nurses do, for what patient condition and with what results.
The challenge to the profession and to the nurse researcher, as posed by the paper, is finding ways to ‘explore and monitor cyber nursing activities’, while considering how professional care could augment and enhance self-care activities. For some readers the cyber nursing conceptual framework may not present the best fit with their anchor to nursing research. However, the debate that the paper may generate could enhance further exploration regarding the role of technology in advancing nursing and optimal patient care.