Assessing Digital Health Competencies on Nursing Practices in Bahrain Hospital

Aim: This study assessed the digital health competency levels of nurses in relation to their nursing practices involving digital technologies in a hospital in Bahrain.Specifically, it examined nurses' competencies in digital transformation, leadership and advocacy, data and information quality, and information-enabled care and technology, as well as their practices in terms of utilization, perception, legal concerns, availability, and challenges.Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design was employed with 47 nurses from different units of the hospital as respondents.A structured questionnaire, validated and confirmed reliable (Cronbach's = 0.89), was used to measure both digital competencies and nursing practices.Descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, and percentage) summarized the data, while Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation determined the relationship between the two variables. Results:The analysis revealed a negligible correlation (r = 0.01) between nursing practices and digital health competencies, suggesting that variations in one do not significantly influence the other.Based on these findings, a proposed program was developed to address challenges and strengthen digital health integration in nursing practice. Conclusion:In conclusion, the study highlights the need for targeted training programs to enhance nurses' digital competencies, thereby improving healthcare delivery and facilitating better integration of technology in clinical settings.