I created the first version of the P.A.T.C.H. (Pretest for Attitudes Toward Computers in Healthcare) in 1996 to help my students explore their feelings about learning to use computers both in education and healthcare. Further revisions occurred in 2007, which culminated in the second version. The third version debuted in 2011 to include statements related to social media, ehealth, electronic health records, and mobile technology. It also streamlined the scoring process. This scale focuses on attitudes and feelings about using computers in the practice setting. You may download a pdf copy to print and complete by hand in the Competencies Plan section below.

Or, you can click on the following image to securely complete and score the assessment scale online. You will need to create an account in the course area to access the online scale. If you are from an educational institution, please ensure that the site is approved by your server so you receive your confirmation email when you sign up.

PLEASE NOTE: I am having problems with the Online version of the Scale. In the meantime, please download a pdf version at the bottom of this page to complete by hand.

Application:

Over the years, the P.A.T.C.H. Scale has been used quite consistently by various educators from around the globe (i.e. USA, Canada. Philippines, Jamaica, China, and Turkey) to test their Nursing degree student's attitudes towards computers in health care. Nurse administrators and clinicians have used it with various groups of nurses working in hospitals, community health centers, schools, and home health. It has also been used in several graduate students' thesis and dissertation work and by other nurse researchers. Some published highlights are listed below.

Turkish Study (2008)

Kaya, N. Turkinaz, A. (February 2008). Validity and Reliability of Turkish version of the Pretest for Attitudes towards Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale. Journal of Istanbul University Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, 16(61), 24 - 32.

ABSTRACT:

Objective: The purpose of this methodological study was to assess the validity and reliability of Turkish version of the Pretest for Attitudes toward Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale.

Method: The adaptation of the scale to Turkish language was performed via back-translation, content validity was examined by refer to experts, reliability was examined with test-retest reliability and internal consistency, validity was examined with criterion-related validity (concurrent validity). The universe of the study consisted of nurses who accept to participation of study at one state hospital and one university hospital. Test-retest reliability was examined with 60 nurses; internal consistency and concurrent validity were examined with 200 nurses.

Findings: The test-retest reliability of items of Pretest for Attitudes toward Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale was 0.20-0.77, for the total scale was 0.85. For internal consistency, Scale’s item total correlation was 0.06-0.68 and Cronbach's Alpha was 0.92. Concurrent validity was examined with correlation between Attitudes toward Computers Scale and Pretest for Attitudes Toward Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale scores and there was positively significant correlated (r=0.66, p<0.01).

Conclusions: The findings concern in the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Pretest for Attitudes toward Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale indicates that this instrument can be used in the studies that will be conducted in Turkey.

Turkish Study (2010)

Kaya, N. (2010). Factors Affecting Nurses' Attitudes Toward Computers in Healthcare. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. Pre Production stage. doi: 10.1097/NCN.0b013e3181f9dd0f

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to determine factors affecting nurses' attitudes toward computers in healthcare. This cross-sectional study was carried out with nurses employed at one state and one university hospital. The sample of the study included 890 nurses who were selected via a purposive sampling method. Data were collected by using a questionnaire for demographic information and Pretest for Attitudes Toward Computers in Healthcare Assessment Scale v.2. The nurses, in general, had positive attitudes toward computers. Findings of the present study showed a significant difference in attitudes for different categories of age (P < .001), marital status (P < .05), education (P < .001), type of facility (P < .01), job HD (P < .001), computer science education (P < .01), computer experience (P < .001), duration of computer use (P < .001), and place of use of computer (P < .001). The results of the present study could be used during planning and implementation of computer training programs for nurses in Turkey and could be utilized in improving the participation of Turkish nurses in initiatives to develop hospital information systems and, above all, in developing computerized patient care planning.

As a nurse interested in Nursing Informatics skills, you have an unique set of related strengths, knowledge and learning needs. An initial learning plan is offered here to help you to begin to plan your personal development in computer literacy, information literacy and informatics theory and practice. Once you have identified your preliminary learning needs, you can plan strategies for equipping yourself with the theory and hands-on skills you need to be proficient in the various aspects of informatics.

This plan is available in PDF so you can download a copy, print and write in your responses right into it. Be sure to save a copy for your personal records!

Download Your
Personal Plan & Printable
P.A.T.C.H. Scale Here!

If you do not have
Adobe Reader on your computer,
download a copy
Here!