The Development Process of eHealth Strategy for Nurses in Finland

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health Information Management
• Digital Health Strategy

Background:

• Increasing reliance on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in healthcare necessitates enhanced nursing expertise in eHealth.
• Defining the evolving roles of nurses in the digital health landscape is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the contribution of nurses to Finland's national eHealth strategy development and implementation.
• To describe the strategic process and resulting structure for nurses' involvement in eHealth.

Main Methods:

• Formation of an expert group by the Finnish Nurses Association (FNA) with diverse nursing-related backgrounds.
• Collaborative discussion, drafting, and open commentary on strategic issues concerning eHealth.
• Identification of key themes for the eHealth strategy.

Main Results:

• The eHealth strategy encompasses client roles, nursing practice, ethical considerations, education, and eHealth competencies.
• Key areas also include nursing leadership, knowledge management, and research and development.
• The strategic work resulted in a defined structure for nurses' engagement in eHealth.

Conclusions:

• Nurses play a vital role in shaping national eHealth strategies.
• A structured approach is necessary to integrate nursing expertise into digital health advancements.
• The Finnish eHealth strategy reflects a comprehensive approach to nursing's digital future.