Understanding the Digital Shift: Nurses’ Competency, Engagement, Utilization and Satisfaction with Digital Health Technology

Abstract

The integration of digital health technology has become increasingly essential in modern nursing practice, transforming the way care is delivered and managed. Hence, this study aims to investigate nurses’ competency, engagement, utilization, satisfaction, and experiences with digital health technology. This study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed-method design, incorporating a descriptive-correlational research design and a phenomenological approach. One hundred forty-seven (147) respondents who met the inclusion criteria were chosen through simple random sampling and convenient sampling for the quantitative study, and fourteen (14) participants were drawn from these for actual participation in the qualitative study through purposive sampling. Findings reveal that most respondents were middle-aged female staff nurses with bachelor's degrees, showing they were experienced professionals. The overall weighted means were very high for competency (4.28), engagement (4.32), utilization (4.30), and satisfaction (4.28). Significant relationships were found between age and both competency and satisfaction, and between years of digital technology experience and all four variables. Position was significantly related to competency. Sex and education level showed no significant relationships. Significant differences in competency, engagement, utilization, and satisfaction were also found across different demographic groups. Post Hoc Analysis using Tukey HSD test highlights significant differences in nurses' competency, engagement, utilization, and satisfaction between and among the variables. Thematic analysis identified experiences, including leveraging data for improved outcomes, integrating solutions for optimized healthcare delivery, and maximizing resource efficiency. The study led to the development of a research simulacrum and proposed sustainability program to guide and empower nurses in optimizing the use of digital health technology.