Defining digital nursing

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.