The power of nurses: using digital health policy to transform health and aged care environments

A mobile technology paradox exists in Australian health and aged care environments. Currently, there are risks, challenges and barriers to accessing information at point of care, although it is increasingly acknowledged that using mobile technologies can enhance care, reduce medication error and improve health outcomes. The release of the Australian Digital Health Agency National Digital Health Strategy provides nurses with opportunities to lead the transformation of access and use of mobile technology at the bedside. Nurse supervisors and students are at the frontline in empowering consumers to participate in their own care. Improving digital literacy by 2022 to support consumers of health, has been enabled through priority 6 of the Strategy by delivery of: “a workforce confidently using digital health technologies to deliver health and care”. Implementation will occur through access to resources to support confident and efficient use of digital services; training in digital technologies; a comprehensive set of clinical resources outlining evidence for how, when and where digital health should be used in every day clinical practice; and, a network of clinical information champions to drive cultural change and awareness within healthcare settings. Release of the Australian College of Nursing and Nursing Informatics Association Nursing Informatics Position Statement provides further support to ensure nurses are pivotal in leadership for planning, implementation and use of health technologies and informatics. As digital technology becomes ubiquitous in health service delivery, there is an increasing need for consumers to develop self-management skills, including seeking and retrieving information, and constructing digital health knowledge using digital media. Nurses need to grasp this opportunity to lead the implementation of digital technology in health and aged care environments for the benefit of consumers. Advocating for digital technology use at point-of-care has the potential to transform nursing practice and contribute to delivery of contemporary 21st Century healthcare.