Clinical Nurses' Point-of-Care Technology Use and Digital Health Competency: Scoping Review.

Abstract

The integration of digital health technologies (DHTs) in health care has been shown to improve patient care and management of chronic conditions while reducing care costs. Nurses, as the largest health care workforce, frequently use DHTs at the bedside, necessitating ongoing adaptation to point-of-care (POC) technologies. However, research on nurses' competencies in using these tools and the impact of competency levels remains limited. This scoping review explores factors influencing nurses' competency in DHT use, guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. Using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological approach, academic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies from 2014 to 2024 focusing on registered nurses, DHTs, POC technologies, and digital health competency. Studies on undergraduate nursing students and those published before 2014 were excluded. Of 1513 articles identified, 20 were reviewed. The findings revealed that demographic, psychological, practical skill, and organizational factors shape digital health competency. Younger and educated nurses adapted quickly to digital tools, while experienced nurses leveraged clinical knowledge to their use. Organizational support and targeted training were critical for sustained digital tool use. Strengthening nurses' DHT competencies at the POC is essential for modern health care. Future research should focus on interventions that enhance these competencies to ensure better patient outcomes.