At a time that has been defined by rapid technological advancements, nursing finds itself at the crossroads of tradition and innovation. The integration of digital technologies into health care brings with it promises to revolutionise the nursing profession, but the question remains: are these promises turning into reality or are they mere fantasies yet to materialise? It is necessary to be critical of the extent to which digitalisation is reshaping nursing practice and the impact it has or can have on patient care.
During the pandemic, technology was an essential tool employed to strengthen communication between professionals and patients. The digital age has revolutionised the way that nurses provide care, manage data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. As these advances are incorporated into practice, it is essential to strike a balance between embracing innovation and preserving the fundamental essence of compassionate patient care. The technology, no matter how good, can never substitute the ability to perceive, understand, express and manage one's own and other people's emotions.
Alongside the technological advances, it is crucial to ensure that the essence of compassionate care that defines nursing is preserved (Royal College of Nursing, 2023). Effective communication, empathy and active listening are the hallmarks of patient-centered care, contributing to improved patient outcomes. Pepito et al (2023) highlighted the importance of human connection in nursing practice. The NHS is increasingly making its services available online, but it must not be forgotten that health care is about people and many patients want and need the reassurance of a real person to talk to, face to face.
Digital technology for nurses, patients and communities has the potential to affect every aspect of care delivery. Effective use of digital technology can deliver significant results in helping patients to make smarter choices. It can improve the use of time and resources, support the co-ordination of services across the care continuum, enhance real-time communication, assist with continuous patient monitoring, improve access to evidence-based resources and increase time available for face-to-face nurse–patient interaction. Digital technology can improve patient safety, for example, in medication administration and documentation of errors. However, all of this only becomes a reality if nurses have the right technology and the support they need, including upskilling and the provision of smartphones, tablets and mobile devices with remote access to systems such as electronic patient records.
In England the NHS Long Term Plan (NHS England, 2019) set out the critical priorities that will support digital transformation and change how the NHS cares for people. It emphasises that the NHS, working with technology, can support and enable local systems to work in more efficient ways, improve diagnosis and treatment and improve services.
Technology systems, used on a daily basis across hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes, pharmacies and community care facilities do not talk to each other as well as they should and, often, they fail to work. This is a lived reality for nurses. A Queen's Nursing Institute report (2023) revealed that digital technology is still failing nurses. Many reported the application of digital technology in practice is poor and that it is not saving them time when time is at a premium. The ambition should be for the use of the best technology available for the NHS and social care sector, with the intention of providing a service that is joined up and seamless.
The potential for cutting-edge technologies to support preventive, predictive and personalised care is huge. However, this is more of a fantasy than a reality for those nurses who are patient facing and working with systems that are ineffective and outdated.