Thee writer will closely review the questions below and will respond to
them after making the selections as noted in the first sentence below. It is
important that the writer use a minimum of 3 references to support the
facts.
Select one informatics theory from the areas of Communication Theories,
Change Theories, or Human Factors.
- Discuss how the application of the theory you select can guide the use of
technology in advanced practice. - What strengths does the theory possess that would make it useful to the
DNP-prepared nurse? - What weaknesses does the theory present that might prevent its use?
DIKW Theory
Since the days when Scholes and Barber first applied nursing informatics
to nursing, the contribution of this concept has continued to be felt and advanced
across the board by nursing professionals therefore improving health care.
Focus on data as advanced by the DIKW theory is important as it
acknowledges that it is only the collection of pieces of information, distinct and
sometimes isolated, that adds up to a meaningful component which results into
information (Rowley, 2007). Without information about a patient’s vital
indicators such as one’s heartbeat, pressure, temperature levels, observation
notes such as physical disposition and behavior being put before a DNP-
prepared nurse, very few positive interventions in treatment can be realized.
When analyzed vital signs data will lead to information that if presented
before a DNP-prepared nurse or if keyed into a computer system will automate
to information that can be looked and constructively interpreted to give an
expert opinion. The opinion is based on the information, which is collated from
an individual’s vital signs over a period of time. Considering that nursing
2Running Head: DIKW Theory
informatics allows access to real time information about a patient, this is used for
deductions that are important in nursing care.
Evidently DIKW is very important as without emphasis on collection and
interpretation of a person’s data, the next step of applying nursing knowledge
and the application of wisdom in offering care will be a near impossibility. Often,
medical errors rest from inaccuracies as a result of gaps present between the
time an individuals vitals are recorded to the way the same is interpreted and
analyzed to the point when such is presented before a professional for
knowledge and wisdom to be applied.
When the four (Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom) are not
synched well, what results is poor service delivery (Frické, 2009). Therefore
DIKW theory of informatics is a theory, which is most relevant and should be
encouraged for use by all nursing professionals.
Despite the numerous advantages outlined in favor of the DIKW theory,
weaknesses are not lacking. For example the theory assumes that the data
collected will be correct, this is far from the truth considering that, for accuracy
to be attained, it means that the data clerk is perfect (Liew, 2007). Far from it,
there is bound to be many human errors, which compromise the onward steps of
information, knowledge and wisdom aspects of the theory.
3Running Head: DIKW Theory
References
Frické, M. (2009). “The Knowledge Pyramid: A Critique of the DIKW Hierarchy”.
Journal of Information Science. 35 (2): 131–142.
Liew, A. (2007). “Understanding Data, Information, Knowledge And Their Inter
Relationships”. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice. 8 (2).
Rowley, J. (2007). “The wisdom hierarchy: representations of the DIKW
hierarchy”. Journal of Information and Communication Science. 33 (2):
163–180.