Digital health: A concept analysis using the Walker and Avant framework

Objectives: This concept analysis analyses the concept of digital health in relation to contemporary nursing practice to enable a shared language to avoid confusion around terminologies. Design: A concept analysis was undertaken using Walker and Avant’s framework. Data Sources: Database searches were completed using CINAHL Ultimate with the inclusion criteria to include peer reviewed papers written in English with full text availability dated from 2015 to retrieve up to date papers. Review methods: A concept analysis was undertaken to define the concept of digital health and identify key characteristics. Results: The concept of digital health emerged as an umbrella term that encapsulated multiple sub-terms linked to the delivery of health care using technology. Conclusion: Digital health has implications for nurses linked to ethical and safe use within patient care with increasing accountability for professionals. Digital health has the potential to improve patient outcomes and requires ongoing development to ensure staff and patient education is optimised. This concept emerged as an umbrella term that offers opportunity as a construct to link related technologies.