Hospital management staff digital literacy and task complexity – Online survey for hospital managers
We conducted a literature study and the results suggest that digital literacy (i.e. computer skills, information skills, and media skills), task complexity, and the use of information systems may be related. However, studies related to digital literacy and task complexity focusing on hospital managers (e.g. clinical leads, executive management levels) are few. We believe a study is urgent to be done in the New Zealand (NZ) context due to the increasing adoption of digital health and the possibility that healthcare will deal with an increasingly complex environment in the future.
About the project
Since there are no validated survey tools to measure the links between digital literacy, task complexity and how hospital managers use information systems in their daily work, we have designed a survey. The literature review informed the content and design, a set of focus groups was conducted to tailor the survey to the NZ context and turn of phrase, and a pilot study was conducted to test the final survey. We are now ready to distribute the survey.
We have designed the survey to be done online – respondents will need a digital device (e.g. computer, smartphone) with a good internet connection and a secure web browser (e.g. Chrome, Mozilla, or Safari) to complete the survey. It consists of 19 sections and should take up to 30 minutes to complete. It may take a bit longer depending on their work environment, device used, and internet connection.
Participation is voluntary.
Locality permission
Our research project targets those who currently occupy managerial and/or leadership roles, for example: CEO, hospital board of directors, operations managers, nurse leads, clinical leads, and other similar roles ranging from most senior to junior.
We have gained locality permission from hospitals to access the organisation’s facilities to distribute the survey link and QR code, and for management staff to give up to half an hour of their time to complete the survey. With assistance from authorised people within hospitals we will circulate information and an invitation through hospital communication channels, e.g., staff email systems, newsletter, or similar method. We will repeat the invitation three times during the six months that the survey will be open.
Participants’ anonymity
We are conducting an anonymous survey in which we do not use any identifiable information like names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, NHI, IRD, photos, hospital name or other information that can be used to reveal someone’s identity.
Participants’ confidentiality
Our survey collects the following data: the region and the bed capacity of your organisation, whether it is a public or a private organisation, your job/role title and description about your role. This information will be de-identified in a way that cannot identify you as the source and your identity will be kept confidential. We will report on this data in such a way that individuals cannot be identified.
Participant inclusion criteria
People are invited to participate in our research if they are
- An active employee that works as a hospital staff in New Zealand
- Working in a managerial role and/or leadership role at any management level in a hospital in New Zealand, including but not limited to the following job title: hospital directors, hospital CEOs, operations managers, nurse leads, head of emergency department, and other similar roles.
- On leave, e.g., maternal leave, sabbatical, annual leave
- Willing and able to provide half an hour of their time to complete the survey
- Working in any hospital type (public or private, general, or specialised).
People cannot participate in our research if they are
- Not working in a New Zealand hospital in a management role
- Do not speak English
- Unable to set aside half an hour of their time to complete the survey.
Participants’ consent
Submission of a completed survey counts as consent to participate, and because the survey is set up to be anonymous, data cannot be withdrawn once submitted. Potential participants are the only ones who can consent to respond to the survey – no-one in their organisation can do so on their behalf, nor influence them to participate or withdraw.
Participant’s right of withdrawal while participating in this survey
Upon taking part in this survey, you have the right to withdraw at any time during the survey, without giving a reason, by just closing the online survey page.
Participants’ right to withdraw their data
Please be advised that data cannot be withdrawn after a respondent has submitted their responses, because it is not traceable.
Potential benefits
The research results may be used by NZ health stakeholders (e.g. Ministry of Health, Health NZ, and the hospital management board of directors) to develop a digital competency framework, digital literacy training programs, and task priority management plans.
Digitally literate leaders and managers are enabled to compile high-quality information, assemble new information, and share information to promote healthy behaviour, prevent health risks and issues, and provide better treatment and service to Māori, Pacific island people, and other New Zealanders so that they can live well and stay well.
Funding and compensation
This study is unfunded. We do not provide any compensation, koha, gift, or reimbursement for participating in this study.
Potential risks
This study has a low risk for harm. In the unlikely event of adverse consequences occurring, we encourage participants to contact EAP services within their organisation.
Potential conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest. Our research team members have no relationship/role/position within the organisation/workplace. A person’s decision to participate or not participate should not have any impact on their employment or academic/organisational relationships.
Future survey data use
Data collected will be kept on secure servers at the University of Auckland for six years and then deleted. We will use the data for publication purposes, such as in journals, posters, and conference presentations. The researcher team will keep identifiable information separately from the main data. Such data will be de-identified and the identity of participants will not be revealed in reports or publications.
Requesting a summary of research findings
Participants may request a summary of the findings. At the end of the survey page, there will be a question whether they wish/do not wish to receive a summary of the findings. If they wish to receive one (click “Yes”), they will be taken to a separate page of another website to enter their email address. They will receive the summary by email.
The summary will come as an infographic about hospital managers’ digital literacy and task complexity levels and how they use hospital information systems. The infographic will be illustrated in the forms of charts and graphs. We will send the summary to your hospital research office by email in August 2023.
Link to the survey
Click here to go to the survey or use this QR code
The research team
Name of Principal Investigator/Main Supervisor (PI): Dr Karen Day
Name of Co-supervisors: Prof David Sundaram
Name of Advisors: Dr Peter Carswell, Dr Linda Haultain
Name of Student Researcher: Tito Yustiawan (PhD Student)
Contact details
| Principal Investigator | Co Supervisor | Student Researcher | Head of School |
| Dr Karen Day k.day@auckland.ac.nz +64 9 923 3870 | Prof David Sundaram d.sundaram@auckland.ac.nz +64 9 923 5078 | Tito Yustiawan tyus123@aucklanduni.ac.nz | Prof Robert Scragg r.scragg@auckland.ac.nz +64 9 923 6336 |
For any queries regarding ethical concerns, you may contact the Chair, The University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee, Office of Research Strategy and Integrity, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142. Telephone 09 373-7599 ext. 83711. Email: humanethics@auckland.ac.nz
Approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 02/12/2022 for three years. Reference Number UAHPEC25154
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