CO29 | Digital health readiness of Italian nurses: a cross-sectional study

F. Pastore¹, V. Simonetti², M. Totaro³, A. Sgarra⁴, F. Galli⁵, G. Cicolini⁶, D. Comparcini⁶ | ¹TorVergata University, Rome, ²LUM University, Casamassima (BA), ³TorVergata University, Rome, ⁴Aldo Moro University, Bari, ⁵Polytechnic University of the Marches, Ancona, ⁶Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy

Abstract

Background and Aim: “Digital Health Readiness” (DHR) refers to the ability to be ready, motivated, and competent in adopting, using, and effectively disseminating digital health technologies. While numerous studies have explored the digital skills of nurses, there is limited evidence on their digital readiness. The aim of this study was to measure DHR among a sample of Italian nurses.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2 to August 2, 2023. The “Digital Health Readiness Questionnaire,” comprising 4 domains and 20 items, was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using the statistical software SPSS.
Results: Overall, 140 nurses participated in the study; 63.4% was female, with a mean age (SD) of 31.85 (8.3) years, and 85.2% had a bachelor’s degree. All respondents have been working as nurses for 5.12 years (SD=7.43), and majority worked in surgical settings (45.1%) within a hospital (44.4%). Female gender (F=2.06, p=0.02), hospital setting (F=1.85, p=0.04), and younger age (F=2.78, p=0.004) was significantly associated with digital skills and literacy.
Conclusions: The proficient level of DHR, influenced by factors such as setting and age, empowers nurses to play a pivotal role in the ongoing digital transformation of the healthcare system.