Acceptance of Digital Technology Among Nursing Staff in Geriatric Long-Term Care: Systematic Review

Digital technologies are increasingly being introduced into the health care system and in settings such as hospitals and geriatric long-term care (LTC) facilities, offering potential benefits such as improved care quality, reduced workload, or enhanced documentation processes. However, the success of these technologies also depends on the acceptance by the primary users, that is, the nursing staff.

This review synthesizes empirical studies that have explored the acceptance of digital technologies by nursing staff in geriatric LTC settings, building upon the foundational work by Yu et al (2009). The goal is to identify influencing factors, assess the extent of existing evidence, and highlight research gaps in this care setting.

A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines. The SPIDER (sample, phenomenon of interest, design, evaluation, research type) framework was used for eligibility criteria. Databases searched included PubMed, ACM Digital Library, Web of Science, and the Health Administration Database ProQuest. Studies were included if they empirically examined the acceptance of digital technologies by nursing staff in geriatric LTC settings. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklist.

A total of 3 studies met the criteria, highlighting a gap in research on this topic. The studies applied cross-sectional quantitative designs and highlighted critical determinants of technology acceptance, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, digital competence, and organizational support. The studies involved a total of 1019 participants from Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. Barriers included lack of user involvement, lack of training, poor system design, and demographic differences in digital affinity.

This review shows that the acceptance of digital technologies by nursing staff in geriatric LTC settings is shaped by a constellation of individual factors, such as digital competence and perceived relevance of technology, as well as organizational factors such as access to training and involvement of staff in the implementation process. Despite these insights, the limited number of empirical studies highlights a research gap in this care setting. To ensure sustainable digital transformation in geriatric LTC, future research should prioritize rigorous and participatory approaches, using longitudinal, intervention-based, or multilevel study designs.