Nurses’ view of benefits, enablers and constraints to the use of digital health tools with patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction Digital literacy helps patients to be more informed in order to make decisions about their health. Patient empowerment in the digital realm is a duty for all healthcare professionals, but nurses are the most numerous professionals in all healthcare systems worldwide. In addition, they have an important role in health education and patient follow-up. Therefore, the use of digital tools, by nurses to empower and help patients know more about their health, is crucial. Objective This study was conducted to identify nurses’ views on the benefits as well as constraints nurses encounter when using digital resources to empower and educate their patients. We sought to identify enablers that could help nurses use technology with their patients as a means to reinforce the care and advice they offer them. Methods An online ad hoc questionnaire was answered by 848 currently employed Spanish nurses on the benefits of using digital media with their patients, as well as on the constraints and enablers during implementation. Results The majority of the nurses considered that reliable digital information would reduce unnecessary consultations. In addition, they think that at least 50% of their patients could benefit from consulting information online. Among the constraints, nurses mainly pointed out the older age and low educational level of their patients. Younger nurses are the most likely nurses to see patient age as a problem. As for enablers, nurses pointed out the training offered to patients as well as digital tools being user-friendly for patients. Conclusions It is crucial to work while following a lifelong learning strategy, with training from university education as well as training from healthcare institutions to reduce the digital gap that affects patients’ digital empowerment.