Background of the Study
The integration of technology into healthcare systems has led to significant improvements in service delivery, including the use of e-health systems for patient records, diagnostics, and treatment plans. E-health systems, such as Electronic Health Records (EHR), are designed to enhance the quality of patient care by providing timely and accurate information to healthcare providers (Kola et al., 2023). However, the increased reliance on these digital systems also brings cybersecurity risks, including data breaches, cyberattacks, and system vulnerabilities, which may compromise the integrity of patient information and overall healthcare delivery (Olawale et al., 2024).
At Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, e-health systems are extensively used for patient data management, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Despite the advantages of these systems, there is a growing concern about the potential cybersecurity risks that could undermine their effectiveness and negatively impact nursing practice. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, rely on these digital platforms for accessing patient records, communicating with other healthcare professionals, and making informed decisions regarding patient care (Ogunleye & Adewole, 2023). Any disruption to these systems or breaches in data security could have serious consequences for patient safety and the quality of nursing care.
The study will examine the cybersecurity risks associated with the e-health systems at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, and their potential impact on nursing practice, with a focus on nurses’ ability to access accurate patient information and deliver safe, timely care.
Statement of the Problem
Cybersecurity risks present a significant challenge in healthcare, particularly within e-health systems that store sensitive patient data. At Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, there is a concern about the vulnerability of e-health systems to cyber threats, which may compromise the quality of nursing practice. Nurses are highly dependent on these systems to ensure the proper management of patient care, and any cybersecurity incident that leads to system downtime, data loss, or unauthorized access could jeopardize patient safety and care quality. However, little research has been done to assess the specific cybersecurity risks in the e-health systems used by nurses at this hospital and how such risks affect their daily practice. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the potential cybersecurity risks and their impact on nursing practice at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
Objectives of the Study
1. To investigate the cybersecurity risks associated with e-health systems at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
2. To assess the impact of cybersecurity risks on nursing practice at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
3. To recommend strategies for mitigating cybersecurity risks in e-health systems to improve nursing practice.
Research Questions
1. What are the cybersecurity risks associated with e-health systems at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi?
2. How do cybersecurity risks affect nursing practice and patient care at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi?
3. What strategies can be implemented to reduce cybersecurity risks in e-health systems and enhance nursing practice?
Research Hypotheses
1. There is a significant relationship between cybersecurity risks in e-health systems and the quality of nursing practice at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
2. Cybersecurity risks in e-health systems negatively affect nurses’ ability to deliver timely and accurate care.
3. Effective cybersecurity measures will significantly reduce the impact of cybersecurity risks on nursing practice.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on the e-health systems at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, and assess the cybersecurity risks and their impact on nursing practice. It will not cover other hospitals or healthcare institutions. Limitations include potential challenges in accessing sensitive data related to cybersecurity incidents and the difficulty of quantifying the precise impact of cybersecurity risks on nursing practice.
Definitions of Terms
• Cybersecurity Risks: The potential threats or vulnerabilities in an e-health system that could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or system failures.
• E-Health Systems: Digital platforms used in healthcare settings for managing patient records, treatment plans, and communication between healthcare providers.
• Nursing Practice: The professional role of nurses in providing patient care, which may be influenced by access to information and resources from e-health systems.
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