Bridging the Digital Divide: A Multi-Method Evaluation of Nursing Readiness for Digital Health Technology

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Digital Health
• Health Technology Adoption

Background:

• Digital health technology readiness is crucial for healthcare quality and safety.
• Understanding nurses' digital readiness impacts the successful integration of new technologies.
• This study addresses the need to identify factors influencing digital health readiness in the nursing workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the digital health technology readiness of nurses, nursing students, nurse-academics, and nurse leaders.
• To identify key factors influencing readiness for specific digital health technologies.
• To provide recommendations for accelerating digital health readiness in the nursing profession.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multi-method study combining online surveys (N=160) and semi-structured interviews (N=8).
• Quantitative survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Qualitative interview responses were thematically analyzed to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported high confidence in telehealth, wearable devices, and IT, but lower confidence in health smart homes, apps, and EHRs.
• Qualitative themes included 'opportunities for efficient ways of working,' 'digital technology turning experts into novices,' 'disillusionment between expectation and reality,' and 'shared responsibility for development of digital expertise.'
• Open-ended responses highlighted the need for comprehensive education, ongoing support, and infrastructure improvements.

Conclusions:

• Age-related differences in digital health readiness were observed.
• Shared responsibility is essential for preparing the nursing workforce for digital health advancements.
• Problem-solving ability and help-seeking behaviors are linked to digital health readiness.