Defining digital nursing

Br J Nurs. 2024 Jan 25;33(2):72-77. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2024.33.2.72.

Abstract

Background: The use of technology in health care, including nursing, is growing, owing in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to national policy.

Aims: To investigate nurses' perceptions of digital nursing (DN).

Methods: Community and primary care nurses from across Wales were recruited (n=249) through a survey comprising open and closed questions. This was supplemented with semistructured interviews (n=25). Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data.

Findings: Nurses had a broad range of perspectives on what DN meant, with four main themes being identified: access; impact on care; technology; and digital future. The positive impacts of DN on ways of working and patient outcomes were supported by answers to closed survey questions.

Conclusion: Many nurses understand the value of digital tools within nursing and are clear about their benefits for patients, nurses and multiprofessional teams. However, there is a need for a clear definition and increased awareness of DN.

Keywords: Community nursing; Digital health; Digital nursing; Primary care nursing; Technology-enabled care; Wales.

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Humans
  • Nurses*
  • Pandemics*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Wales