Leading the Digital Transformation: Nurse Leadership's Role in Technology Integration and Healthcare Improvement
Faeda Mohsam *
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.
Courtley Pharaoh
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nurse leadership is a pivotal element that significantly influences patient care quality, staff satisfaction, and the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Nurse managers, at the forefront, guide staff through complex environments, with their leadership critical for implementing new technology that impacts job satisfaction, retention, and clinical performance. This article highlights a shift in perception from initial scepticism to acknowledging the positive impact of technology on work activities.
This qualitative, interpretive study examined nurses' and administrators' experiences with Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) in two Western Cape hospital settings. Employing the Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) for design and interpretation, the research purposively sampled 28 participants to gain detailed insights. Thematic analysis, focusing on nurses' lived experiences with DHTs, revealed a journey from initial adaptation struggles to eventual comfort and appreciation of technology in their professional roles.
The findings highlight the critical role of nurse leadership in the successful adoption and integration of DHTs. Results suggest nurse leaders are pivotal in promoting data-driven decision-making within their teams. This study contributes significant originality and value by focusing on the crucial intersection of nurse leadership and DHT adoption within clinical contexts.
Keywords: Adaptation challenges, Digital Health Technologies, leadership, Nurse leadership