Leadership in the context of digital health services: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim: To define and clarify the concept of leadership in the context of digital health services using Walker's and Avant's concept analysis model.

Background: Conceptualizing leadership in the context of digital health services is needed to deliver higher quality services and advance research.

Method: Searches were conducted of MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO) and ProQuest (ABI/INFORM). Empirical articles were included if they reported attributes, antecedents or consequences of leadership in the study context. A total of 4037 references were identified; 23 were included.

Results: Leadership attributes concerned leaders' behaviour, roles and qualities. Antecedents concerned informatics skills and competence, information and tools, understanding care systems and their complexity and education. Consequences related to organization, professionals and patient and care.

Conclusion: Based on our results, the term 'e-leadership' should be more widely utilized in nursing practice and research.

Implications for nursing management: Nurse leaders need to be strong leaders; they need to be visionary and use strategic thinking to develop existing and new digital solutions. By becoming e-leaders, nurse leaders may increase the successful development and implementation of eHealth and benefit clinicians and patients.

Keywords: concept analysis; digital; health care; leadership; telemedicine.