Nursing Informaticians in Spain: Scoping Review and Expert-Validated Gap Analysis

The role of nursing informaticians is well-established in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, supported by competency frameworks and educational programs that enable nurses to lead technological integration in health care. However, in Spain, this role is not formally recognized, and specialized university training is scarce, creating a significant gap in digital health leadership among nurses.

The study aimed to analyze the international landscape of the nursing informatician role, comparatively focusing on the situation in Spain, to subsequently identify the specific gaps for its implementation through experts' views and insights.

First, a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines was conducted in English and Spanish using scientific evidence searched in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science from 2018 to the present, as well as gray literature on the topic. A total of 55 published studies were included after screening 1356 records and 10 gray literature documents. Subsequently, findings were validated through a gap analysis comprising a panel of 10 experts selected according to their experience in digital literacy.

The review identified 6 core competencies for nursing informaticians: information management, cybersecurity, patient safety, evaluation and development of clinical information systems, leadership and coordination of digital tools, implementation of new technologies and specialized applications, and education and digitalization in health. Internationally, training is delivered via postgraduate programs, certifications, and leadership initiatives. Experts validated the relevance of these competencies for Spain (rated 5/5) and the applicability and desirability of implementing training programs (rated 4.8/5). Key barriers identified were the lack of official recognition, scarce training, and organizational resistance to change.

There is a contrast between the established role of nursing informaticians internationally and its absence in Spain. The lack of a formal framework and specific training programs is the primary barrier. Implementing validated competencies and tailored educational strategies is crucial for Spain to advance its digital health transformation and empower nursing leadership in technology.