Development of a clinical data model addressing the nursing focus "anxiety": a consensus development study

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide. However, anxiety is not exclusive to anxiety disorders. In fact, the nursing discipline approaches anxiety as a human response to health conditions/life processes. Health information systems should primarily contribute to improving the quality of care, patient safety, and the effectiveness of care delivery. Nevertheless, nursing information systems still fail to incorporate evidence-based clinical data models addressing the nursing focus “anxiety.” Thus, this study aimed to obtain consensus on the data to be included in a clinical data model addressing the nursing focus “anxiety,” its organization, and its interrelationships by using a brainstorming session and a modified e-Delphi technique with a panel of nurse experts from across Portugal. Eight experts participated in the brainstorming session. A total of 59 and 54 participants completed the survey in e-Delphi rounds 1 and 2, respectively. Consensus was achieved to all data presented to the participants, and these data were later included in the clinical data model. This evidence-based clinical data model, grounded on a nursing theory and with standardized nursing language, will substantially contribute to nursing documentation and, consequently, to nursing care targeted at patients with anxiety.