Embracing healthcare technology - What is the way forward for nurse education?

Digital technology is regarded as increasingly important in the provision of safe, consistent and optimal health care in the future. However considerable challenges exist in relation to how it can best be used and integrated to support, transform and facilitate user engagement and provide individualised care. Many forms of digital health technology exist already that have improved diagnosis and treatment in terms of early diagnosis and treatment. That said, healthcare, and nursing in particular, remains largely at the periphery of the digital technology transformation and as a result is failing to capitalise on its potential for improving health care and services. Awareness of the level of change in terms of professional and cultural ideology is needed when introducing technology in health care. Participation in the introduction, adaptation and acceptance process by all staff using soft and hard data to create a vision, set clear goals and develop a mutually agreed implementation strategy is essential for success. A positive approach by management towards the use and benefits of digital technology for improving and transforming healthcare in conjunction with education support has been effective in some UK and US projects. Education needs to commence at undergraduate level and continue across the nursing career trajectory. This will help nurses to re-conceptualise how both patients and health care professionals can benefit and that technology can serve to enhance and support patient centred communication rather than limit it.