Nurses' Perspectives on Clinical Decision Support Systems: Knowledge, Barriers, and Opportunities

Abstract

Aim; The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, barriers, and opportunities of nurses regarding nursing informatics and clinical decision support systems (CDSS).Method; This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with the participation of 114 nurses at Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a 20-question form prepared by researchers based on a structured literature review.Results; Of the 114 participating nurses, 69.3% worked in inpatient services, and 63.1% held undergraduate or higher degrees, with a mean age of 28.41±2.15 years. While 73.6% reported familiarity with nursing informatics, only 26.3% were aware of CDSS, and 75.4% had not received any related training. Common applications of CDSS included drug identification and administration (22.1%) and nutritional assessments and scale calculations (13.5%). Lack of knowledge and training was cited by 71.3% as a primary barrier to effective CDSS use. Nurses rated CDSS as moderately effective for certification processes, patient safety, operational efficiency, and usability.Conclusion; Although nurses possess considerable knowledge of nursing informatics, their awareness and use of CDSS remain limited. Integrating targeted in-service training and system enhancements is crucial for improving their engagement and effectiveness with CDSS.