What Can We Learn From Nurses' Experiences of Digital Technology Implementation During the COVID‐19 Pandemic? A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To explore nurses' experiences of the adoption, implementation, and use of digital technologies during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

A qualitative study using two data sources: qualitative responses from 55 respondents to an online survey, and data from in-depth interviews with 21 individuals. The NASSS framework was used to guide data collection and analysis. Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Results

Respondents reported using a variety of technologies including video conferencing applications, telemonitoring, systems to support care management and telecommunication systems. The analysis identified a range of reasons why technology had been introduced into services, and a recognition of its value in a situation where otherwise care may not have been able to continue. During the pandemic nurses were expected to change their work practices very rapidly, and we identified situations where organisational infrastructure either supported this effectively or created additional burdens for the nurses' work.

Conclusion

Nurses had to adapt to new ways of working rapidly, with digital technology being one of the primary means through which communication and care were delivered. The Covid-19 pandemic provided a unique set of circumstances where layers of governance and many of the existing barriers to technology introduction were reduced.

Implications for the Profession

It is important to learn from these experiences, to understand how to sustain innovations that have proved to be successful, as well as the factors that enable nurses to work effectively in this new environment.

Reporting Method

This study adheres to the guidance for publishing qualitative research in informatics.

Patient or Public Contribution

A public contributor was involved from the beginning of the study conceptualization. They had input into the study approach, were part of the team that acquired the funding for the study and gave input at various stages into the processes for data collection, analysis and writing up the findings. The public contributor is a co-author on this paper and has been involved in the writing and editing of this report.