Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake of digital health innovations due to the availability of various technologies and the urgent health care need for treatment and prevention. Although numerous studies have investigated digital health adoption and the associated challenges and strategies during the pandemic, there is a lack of evidence on the impact on the nursing workforce. Objective: This study aims to identify the impact of digital health transformation driven by COVID-19 on nurses. Methods: The online software Covidence was used to follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Relevant scientific health and computing databases were searched for papers published from January 2020 to November 2021. Using the 8D sociotechnical approach for digital health in health care systems, the papers were analyzed to identify gaps in applying digital health in nursing practice. Results: In total, 21 papers were selected for content analysis. The analysis identified a paucity of research that quantifies the impact of the digital health transformation on nurses during the pandemic. Most of the initiatives were teleconsultation, followed by tele–intensive care unit (tele-ICU), and only 1 (5%) study explored electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Among the sociotechnical elements, the human-related factor was the most explored and the system measurement was the least studied item. Conclusions: The review identified a significant gap in research on how implementing digital health solutions has impacted nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This gap needs to be addressed by further research to provide strategies for empowering the nursing workforce to be actively involved in digital health design, development, implementation, use, and evaluation.

The stepped care model (SCM) is a patient‐centred approach to mental health care, offering a range of services from least to most intensive, tailored to individual needs. This scoping review examines the adoption, effectiveness, challenges and implications associated with applying SCM within primary mental health service delivery. Evidence from global sources suggests the model is viable, effective and useful. This review explores the literature available, clarifies fundamental concepts and identifies existing knowledge gaps. The literature search included CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, the Federation University library, Google and Google Scholar databases. A systematic keyword‐based search using terms like “stepped care model,” “mental health,” and “primary care”; and a combination of keywords and subject headings, were used. The search strategy was refined by considering factors such as relevance, publication date, objectives and outcomes. This strategy yielded 20 papers compiled in this review. They include randomised controlled trials and cross‐sectional studies. The review supports SCM adoption in primary mental health care but acknowledges the need for further research. Key inclusions of the review include cost‐effectiveness, diverse diagnoses, efficacy and the model's structural configuration. Clear treatment details, delivery methods, intervention durations and chronological sequences are essential. This systematic approach enhances generalisability across different SCM models and areas, strengthening reliable inferences. In summary, the SCM holds promise for enhancing mental health service delivery. However, there is a need to further examine the factors that determine its effectiveness and understand the different ways in which SCM is implemented. Such inquiry forms the foundation for implementing and advancing mental health care services in Australia and internationally.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital health innovations, which has greatly impacted nursing practice. However, little is known about the use of digital health services by nurses and how this has changed during the pandemic. Objective: This study explored the sociotechnical challenges that nurses encountered in using digital health services implemented during the pandemic and, accordingly, what digital health capabilities they expect from the emerging workforce. Methods: Five groups of nurses, including chief nursing information officers, nurses, clinical educators, nurse representatives at digital health vendor companies, and nurse representatives in government bodies across Australia were interviewed. They were asked about their experience of digital health during the pandemic, their sociotechnical challenges, and their expectations of the digital health capabilities of emerging nurses to overcome these challenges. Interviews were deductively analyzed based on 8 sociotechnical themes, including technical challenges, nurse-technology interaction, clinical content management, training and human resources, communication and workflow, internal policies and guidelines, external factors, and effectiveness assessment of digital health for postpandemic use. Results: Sixteen participants were interviewed. Human factors and clinical workflow challenges were highly mentioned. Nurses’ lack of knowledge and involvement in digital health implementation and evaluation led to inefficient use of these technologies during the pandemic. They expected the emerging workforce to be digitally literate and actively engaged in digital health interventions beyond documentation, such as data analytics and decision-making. Conclusions: Nurses should be involved in digital health interventions to efficiently use these technologies and provide safe and quality care. Collaborative efforts among policy makers, vendors, and clinical and academic industries can leverage digital health capabilities in the nursing workforce.

Background: Australian nursing programs aim to introduce students to digital health requirements for practice. However, innovation in digital health is more dynamic than education providers’ ability to respond. It is uncertain whether what is taught and demonstrated in nursing programs meets the needs and expectations of clinicians with regard to the capability of the nurse graduates. Objective: This study aims to identify gaps in the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Capability Framework , based on the perspectives of clinical nurses, and in nurse educators’ confidence and knowledge to teach. The findings will direct a future co-design process. Methods: This study triangulated the findings from 2 studies of the Digital Awareness in Simulated Health project and the National Nursing and Midwifery Digital Capability Framework. The first was a qualitative study that considered the experiences of nurses with digital health technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the second was a survey of nurse educators who identified their confidence and knowledge to teach and demonstrate digital health concepts. Results: The results were categorized by and presented from the perspectives of nurse clinicians, nurse graduates, and nurse educators. Findings were listed against each of the framework capabilities, and omissions from the framework were identified. A series of statements and questions were formulated from the gap analysis to direct a future co-design process with nursing stakeholders to develop a digital health capability curriculum for nurse educators. Conclusions: Further work to evaluate nursing digital health opportunities for nurse educators is indicated by the gaps identified in this study.