Digital Transformation Led by Nurses and Nursing Managers’ Priorities: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Nurse-led digital transformation promotes nurses’ participation and leadership in digital health. It also aims to improve the quality of care and patient satisfaction. The objective is to describe the priorities of nursing managers in the field of digital health and their beliefs related to the digital transformation led by nurses. The methodology used is a qualitative-descriptive study. The data were collected by means of the implementation of playful-reflective workshops. Open and/or closed questions were used, to which participants responded using their mobile phones, by capturing QR codes. A group of 32 nursing managers from the Spanish private hospital sector were invited to participate by means of purposive sampling. Data were analysed using the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis performed by two researchers independently. Of the 32 participants, 25 were women. The average age was 38 years. The main utility of the use of technology in health environments that they noted was innovation, followed by communication. Another utility mentioned repeatedly was that of visibility, considering digital media as a way to show the population the role of a nurse. They also noted time savings and error reduction. Moreover, as barriers to the implementation of technology, participants pointed out the lack of skills or equipment, institutional support, and the care burden. This study shows that nursing managers are aware of the need and benefits that nurse-led digital transformation can bring about. These findings can pave the way for promoting a nurse-led digital leadership culture.