Video consultations among registered nurses in public sector and associated factors

Abstract Background In digital health services, including services for older people, video consultations can enhance access to care while enabling interaction through audio and visual means. Registered nurses are pivotal in digital care delivery and there is a need for more understanding regarding the use of video consultations in nursing. This study aims to examine factors associated with nurses’ video consultations in the public sector. Methods The Finnish ‘Survey on information systems for registered nurses’ was delivered for registered nurses in March 2023. The respondents were asked whether their work had included video consultations in the past six months. Binary logistic regression was used to examine if career stage and digital skills (basic IT-skills, proficiency in data security, skills in digital working environments) were associated with nurses’ video consultations, adjusted for working unit and location of employment. Results The study included 2,525 public sector nurses (92.7% female, mean age 47.34, SD 10.47). Of them, twelve percent had used video consultations with patients. Most nurses used video consultations in outpatient units (63.3%), whereas they were less used among those working in acute care (3.3%), housing services (3.3%) and home-based services (8.2%). Early-career nurses had lower odds (OR .38, 95% CI .19-.73) of video consultations compared to mid-career nurses. Nurses who had good skills in working in digital environments (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.26-3.39) had greater odds of video consultations than those with poorer skills. Conclusions The study suggests a limited adoption of video consultations among public sector nurses, particularly among early-career professionals. Increasing targeted support and training, and the availability of tools for various patient service needs in video consultations, are needed. By recognizing the importance of nurses’ digital skills, digital care delivery could be enhanced and potential public health benefits promoted. Key messages • Relatively few registered nurses used video consultations in the public sector. More research is needed to explore if their usage could be increased safely for patients, also in early nursing careers. • Proficiency in digital work environments is imperative for ensuring the quality of care in video consultations. Therefore, collaborative efforts are required to enhance professionals’ digital skills.