Webcam technology on neonatal wards-examining the objective and subjective workload of nurses: a combined observational and survey study

doi:10.1186/s12912-024-02107-4

. 2024 Jul 2;23(1):449.

doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02107-4.

Webcam technology on neonatal wards-examining the objective and subjective workload of nurses: a combined observational and survey study

Helena Sophie Müller¹, Michael Becker-Peth², Ludwig Kuntz³; Neo-CamCare

Collaborators, Affiliations

Collaborators

Neo-CamCare:
Nadine Scholten, Andreas Müller, Till Dresbach, Martin Hellmich, Christina Samel, Christiane Woopen, Christiane Jannes, Ludwig Kuntz, Indra Spiecker Gen Döhmann, Sebastian Bretthauer, Dirk Horenkamp-Sonntag, Stefanie Wobbe-Ribinski

Affiliations

¹ Department of Business Administration and Health Care Management, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. helena.mueller@wiso.uni-koeln.de.
² Department of Technology and Operations Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Business Administration and Health Care Management, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

PMID: 38956601
PMCID: PMC11218283
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02107-4

Webcam technology on neonatal wards-examining the objective and subjective workload of nurses: a combined observational and survey study

Helena Sophie Müller et al. BMC Nurs. 2024.

. 2024 Jul 2;23(1):449.

doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02107-4.

Authors

Helena Sophie Müller¹, Michael Becker-Peth², Ludwig Kuntz³; Neo-CamCare

Collaborators

Neo-CamCare:
Nadine Scholten, Andreas Müller, Till Dresbach, Martin Hellmich, Christina Samel, Christiane Woopen, Christiane Jannes, Ludwig Kuntz, Indra Spiecker Gen Döhmann, Sebastian Bretthauer, Dirk Horenkamp-Sonntag, Stefanie Wobbe-Ribinski

Affiliations

¹ Department of Business Administration and Health Care Management, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. helena.mueller@wiso.uni-koeln.de.
² Department of Technology and Operations Management, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Business Administration and Health Care Management, Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

PMID: 38956601
PMCID: PMC11218283
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02107-4

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to estimate the additional objective and perceived workload of nurses resulting from the use of webcams. The successful implementation of webcam technology into routine care requires an analysis to prevent adverse events of increased nursing workload.

Methods: The study took place on three neonatal wards in two University Hospitals in Germany. In the first Hospital, the study was conducted from February to July 2021; in the second one it was conducted between June and November 2021. Data were collected using a combined approach of a standardised diary questionnaire study and passive observations. The participants were accompanied in their daily work and their activities were recorded 65 nurses participated.

Results: 2,031 h were observed in 1,630 observation blocks. In 14.74% of the observation blocks webcam activities were detected. The extent to which the nurses had webcam-related additional workloads was rated as no additional workload in 82.16% of the daily questionnaires (n = 1,026).

Conclusion: The observed low workload due to the webcams is in line with the nurses' perception. The observational data revealed, on a number of different analysis levels, that a limited additional workload was generated. There was no decrease in activity performance observed and no clear indication for interruptions due to the webcam-related activities for the nurses. However, it is important to raise awareness about the individual workload levels for the successful implementation. Additional education programs can be provided for nurses.

Trial registration: The Neo-CamCare study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register.

Drks-id: DRKS00017755 .

Keywords: Neonatology; Nurse; Webcam technology; Workload.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

**Fig. 1**
Distribution of time share per activity category

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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1. Guttmann K, Patterson C, Haines T, Hoffmann C, Masten M, Lorch S, Chuo J. Parent stress in relation to use of bedside telehealth, an initiative to improve family-centeredness of care in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Patient Exper. 2020;7(6):1378–83. 10.1177/2374373520950927. 10.1177/2374373520950927 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Hawkes GA, Livingstone V, Ryan CA, Dempsey EM. Perceptions of webcams in the neonatal intensive care unit: here’s looking at you kid! Am J Perinatol. 2015;2:131–6. 10.1055/s-0034-1376388.10.1055/s-0034-1376388 - DOI - PubMed

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[1] Yeo C, Ho SK, Khong K, Lau Y. Virtual visitation in the neonatal intensive care: experience with the use of internet and telemedicine in a tertiary neonatal unit. Perm J. 2011;3:32–6. 10.7812/TPP/11-063.10.7812/TPP/11-063 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[2] Yeo C, Ho SK, Khong K, Lau Y. Virtual visitation in the neonatal intensive care: experience with the use of internet and telemedicine in a tertiary neonatal unit. Perm J. 2011;3:32–6. 10.7812/TPP/11-063.10.7812/TPP/11-063 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[3] Turner M, Chur-Hansen A, Winefield H, Stanners M. The assessment of parental stress and support in the neonatal intensive care unit using the parent stress scale - neonatal intensive care unit. Women Birth. 2015;3:252–8. 10.1016/j.wombi.2015.04.001.10.1016/j.wombi.2015.04.001 - DOI - PubMed

[4] Turner M, Chur-Hansen A, Winefield H, Stanners M. The assessment of parental stress and support in the neonatal intensive care unit using the parent stress scale - neonatal intensive care unit. Women Birth. 2015;3:252–8. 10.1016/j.wombi.2015.04.001.10.1016/j.wombi.2015.04.001 - DOI - PubMed

[5] Woodward LJ, Bora S, Clark CAC, Montgomery-Hönger A, Pritchard VE, Spencer C, Austin NC. Very preterm birth: maternal experiences of the neonatal intensive care environment. J Perinatol. 2014;7:555–61. 10.1038/jp.2014.43.10.1038/jp.2014.43 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Woodward LJ, Bora S, Clark CAC, Montgomery-Hönger A, Pritchard VE, Spencer C, Austin NC. Very preterm birth: maternal experiences of the neonatal intensive care environment. J Perinatol. 2014;7:555–61. 10.1038/jp.2014.43.10.1038/jp.2014.43 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] Guttmann K, Patterson C, Haines T, Hoffmann C, Masten M, Lorch S, Chuo J. Parent stress in relation to use of bedside telehealth, an initiative to improve family-centeredness of care in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Patient Exper. 2020;7(6):1378–83. 10.1177/2374373520950927. 10.1177/2374373520950927 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Guttmann K, Patterson C, Haines T, Hoffmann C, Masten M, Lorch S, Chuo J. Parent stress in relation to use of bedside telehealth, an initiative to improve family-centeredness of care in the neonatal intensive care unit. J Patient Exper. 2020;7(6):1378–83. 10.1177/2374373520950927. 10.1177/2374373520950927 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Hawkes GA, Livingstone V, Ryan CA, Dempsey EM. Perceptions of webcams in the neonatal intensive care unit: here’s looking at you kid! Am J Perinatol. 2015;2:131–6. 10.1055/s-0034-1376388.10.1055/s-0034-1376388 - DOI - PubMed

[10] Hawkes GA, Livingstone V, Ryan CA, Dempsey EM. Perceptions of webcams in the neonatal intensive care unit: here’s looking at you kid! Am J Perinatol. 2015;2:131–6. 10.1055/s-0034-1376388.10.1055/s-0034-1376388 - DOI - PubMed

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Webcam technology on neonatal wards-examining the objective and subjective workload of nurses: a combined observational and survey study

Collaborators

Affiliations

Webcam technology on neonatal wards-examining the objective and subjective workload of nurses: a combined observational and survey study

Authors

Collaborators

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

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References

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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