健康科技依賴概念分析

Health Technology Dependency: A Concept Analysis

「健康科技依賴」是一個廣泛的概念，泛指運用科技所發展的藥物、設備、儀器或裝置，代償身體失能或防止傷殘進展及發生。科技的發明雖然延長了病人的壽命及預防死亡的發生，但亦帶給病人許多心理壓力及照顧者負擔。適時提供護理介入措施，藉以增進病人身心狀態的穩定和整體家庭和諧運作，乃為重要之護理議題。有鑑於目前國內缺乏相關的探討與研究，因此本文運用Walker及Avant（2010）所描述的概念分析步驟，統整文獻後，賦予健康科技依賴更明確之定義。歸納其定義屬性包括：(1)病人選擇與健康科技共生；(2)健康科技造成病人生理及心理負擔；(3)當病人產生正向因應，將健康科技融入生活視為身體一部分，即可維持穩定之身心狀態；再者，運用不同案例說明與分析健康科技依賴概念，最後提供實證性參考指標與測量工具，期使護理人員能了解健康科技依賴概念，評估病人對健康科技依賴的程度，發展相關之介入措施或護理方案，以增進病人福祉。

Health technology dependence is a widely recognized concept that refers to the utilization of technology, including drugs, equipment, instruments, and related devices, to compensate for a physical disability or to prevent the progression of a disability. Although technology may significantly prolong the life of a patient, technology may also increase the psychological pressure of these patients and the burdens of their caregivers. There is a current dearth of related research and discussions related to the concept of ＂health technology dependency＂. Therefore, the present paper uses the strategies of concept analysis described by Walker & Avant (2010) to analyze this concept. The characteristic definition of health technology dependence addresses individuals who: (1) currently live with health technology, (2) may perceive physical or psychological burdens due to health technology, and (3) feel physical and psychological well-being when coping positively with their health technology dependency and, further, regard health technology as a part of their body. Further, the present paper uses case examples to help analyze the general concept. It is hoped that nurses may better understand the concept of ＂health technology dependency＂, consider the concerns of health-technology-dependent patients and their families, and develop relevant interventions to promote the well-being of these patients and their families.