I was honoured to have been invited to address a gathering of over 6,500 nurses and midwives from around the world at the International Council of Nurses Congress in Montreal this month. The panel chaired by ICN’s Chief Nurse, Michelle Acorn, examined the advancement of nursing practice. I delivered a speech with a call to action for the whole profession to define its digital healthcare future. The discussion that ensued was lively and engaging, and I was thrilled to witness the strong desire for leadership on this crucial agenda from nurses across the globe.

This was just one moment in an inspiring congress where we heard from inspirational nurse leaders and saw examples of innovation happening globally (more to follow in my next blog). Leaving I felt uplifted and brimming with ideas on how I can take this mission forward with others as Future Nurse. The connections I made during the event are invaluable, and I am eager to follow up with each one of them.

I firmly believe in the power of collaboration to drive positive change in healthcare and I would like to share a summary of the speech to extend the conversation beyond the 6,500 strong congress meeting. I am curious to explore the intersection of digital healthcare and nursing with others, ensuring we embrace this technological frontier while preserving and enhancing the core values and essence of nursing.

Opportunity:

The digital transformation of healthcare has focused primarily on electronic health records, but it is crucial to recognise that this alone is not transformative. The adoption of technology has often led to nurses spending excessive time on documentation and a decline in critical thinking. However, the rapid evolution of technology presents opportunities for delivering care closer to home and empowering individuals through mobile health applications. Big data and AI can enable precision nursing, while the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual consultations and remote care models.

Challenges:

The healthcare landscape faces challenges such as demographic shifts, chronic diseases, and inequity. To address these challenges, we must shift from managing illness to promoting health by tackling the social determinants of health. In the digital context, improving interoperability and data sharing is vital to realize the benefits of effective information flow and big data. Additionally, overcoming the global nursing workforce challenge requires purposeful digital transformation with a holistic approach encompassing people, process, and technology.

Goals for Digital Transformation:

To achieve meaningful digital transformation in nursing, collaborative working across boundaries is crucial. This necessitates systems leadership and data governance policies that facilitate data sharing. The focus should be on personalised nursing care delivered closer to home through telemedicine, virtual wards, and remote monitoring. Increased self-management and community engagement, guided by nurses as health navigators, can empower individuals to take control of their health. Moreover, automating tasks can enhance nurses’ professional quality of life, allowing more time for patient care and relational aspects of nursing.

Enabling Change and Leadership:

To ensure successful digital transformation, a unified vision is necessary for practicing nursing in a digitised and connected world. Nurses must lead in shaping this vision, working alongside non-nursing colleagues to develop technologies that support their work. Specialist nurse leaders with expertise in technology and data science are required to bridge the gap between technology development and nursing practice. It is essential to think globally and reimagine nursing for the digital age, just as Florence Nightingale revolutionised the profession over a century ago.

Overcoming Concerns and Embracing Digital:

Despite concerns that digital technology and person-centred care are incompatible, evidence from the pandemic demonstrates their compatibility. Person-centred care aims to support individuals and populations in leading healthy lives, and digital tools can facilitate this. Access to information through mobile applications and wearables empowers patients, making them active participants in their healthcare journey. However, we need to shift our mindset from focusing on individual illness to empowering healthful populations.

Education and Regulatory Changes:

Education plays a critical role in preparing nurses for digital healthcare systems, and educators need adequate training to equip learners effectively. Regulatory changes are necessary to ensure that nursing education aligns with the demands of the digital era. This issue is not unique to the UK but affects nurses worldwide. Recognising the potential of digital technology in achieving the sustainable development goals, the World Health Organization published a Global Digital Healthcare Strategy Nurse leaders at all levels must actively engage in its delivery, in policy decisions and advocate for investment in digital health.

A Call to Action:

The International Council of Nurses, as a global nursing network, must set a shared purpose and vision for nursing in the digital age. We as member organisations of ICN and individual nurses must work together, leveraging technology and data, to improve patient outcomes and enhance our working lives. By embracing innovative technologies, genomics, and AI, nurses can become digital innovators and entrepreneurs. It is crucial to author our own story, stepping up as trailblazers and game-changers, designing future healthcare systems that prioritise person-centred care through technology-enabled accessibility.

Conclusion:

The future of nursing lies in embracing digital transformation and leveraging technology and data to reshape nursing practice. By acknowledging what is yet to be discovered and adopting a collaborative approach, nurses can enhance both the art and science of nursing. Purposeful digital transformation will lead to better outcomes for patients worldwide, regardless of their geographical location. It is time to open our minds, find courage, and demand technology that empowers us to utilise and develop the science of nursing to its fullest potential.