Digital technology is rapidly transforming every sector, and healthcare is no exception. In nursing practice, this evolution is profound, bringing both immense opportunities and significant challenges. For nurses in Kenya, where access to resources and infrastructure can vary, the impact is particularly noteworthy.

Impact of Digital Technology on Nursing Practice in Kenya

Digital technologies are reshaping how nurses deliver care, manage information, and interact with patients and the healthcare system.

Positive Influences:

1. Enhanced Patient Care and Safety:

   • Electronic Health Records (EHRs)/Electronic Medical Records (EMRs): Digitizing patient records reduces paperwork, minimizes errors from illegible handwriting, and provides nurses with immediate access to a patient’s complete medical history, lab results, and medication lists at the point of care. This leads to more accurate diagnoses, better-informed clinical decisions, and safer medication administration. In Kenya, initiatives like Afya.KE are moving towards digitized record management, which has shown to reduce queues, improve revenue tracking, and facilitate faster referrals (Maarifa.cog.go.ke, 2024).
   • Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Wearable Devices: These technologies allow nurses to continuously monitor vital signs, glucose levels, cardiac activity, and other physiological data from a distance. This is especially crucial for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, allowing for timely interventions and reducing hospital readmissions. For instance, in Kenya, telemedicine and digital health solutions are increasingly used for chronic illness management (Stephy Publishers, 2025).
   • Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS): AI-powered CDSS can assist nurses in analyzing large volumes of patient data, identifying at-risk patients, flagging potential drug interactions, and providing evidence-based recommendations, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and care planning.
   • Automated Devices: Smart IV pumps, smart beds that monitor patient movements and vitals, and viewfinders for easier IV insertions automate routine tasks, enhance precision, and free up nurses’ time for direct patient interaction and complex care (Walsh University Online, 2022).

2. Improved Efficiency and Workflow:

   • Streamlined Communication: Digital platforms, secure messaging apps, and telehealth tools enhance real-time communication among multidisciplinary care teams, facilitating seamless collaboration and handovers (Walsh University Online, 2022).
   • Reduced Documentation Time: While initial setup can be time-consuming, proficient use of EHRs and digital charting tools can ultimately reduce documentation burden and allow nurses to focus more on patient care.
   • Telehealth/Teleconsultations: Nurses can conduct virtual consultations, provide remote mental health counseling, diagnose minor infections, prescribe medications, and offer follow-up care, especially beneficial in rural and underserved areas of Kenya, expanding access to healthcare services (Walsh University Online, 2022; Mobisoft Infotech, 2021).

3. Enhanced Education and Professional Development:

   • Nurses can access online courses, webinars, and digital libraries for continuous learning and professional development, staying updated on the latest evidence-based practices and technological advancements (Ngee Ann Academy, n.d.).
   • Simulation technologies and virtual reality offer immersive training environments for practicing complex procedures in a safe setting.

Challenges and Negative Influences (particularly in the Kenyan context):

1. Digital Divide and Access:

   • In Kenya, a significant digital divide exists, especially in rural areas, where limited access to electricity, reliable internet, and digital literacy can marginalize vulnerable populations from benefiting from digital health services (The Observer, 2025).
   • Lack of adequate technological infrastructure, including labs and databases, can hinder adoption and utilization (Stephy Publishers, 2025; SCIRP, n.d.).

2. Data Privacy and Security:

   • The digitalization of sensitive patient information raises significant concerns about data privacy, cybersecurity breaches, and the need for robust data protection infrastructure and regulations. Enforcement of existing data protection acts can be challenging (The Observer, 2025).

3. Resistance to Change and Digital Literacy:

   • Some nurses, particularly older generations or those with limited prior exposure to technology, may experience resistance, anxiety, or a lack of confidence in adopting new digital tools (AJOL, 2017; ResearchGate, 2020).
   • Insufficient digital literacy and computer skills among healthcare workers can adversely affect the safety and quality of patient care when using EMRs (ResearchGate, 2020).

4. Workload and Information Overload:

   • While designed for efficiency, initial implementation of new systems can increase workload and lead to “information fatigue” due to the high volume of data. Nurses need to learn to navigate new interfaces and workflows effectively.

5. Depersonalization of Care:

   • A concern exists that over-reliance on technology might reduce the “human touch” in nursing, potentially impacting the nurse-patient relationship if not balanced with empathetic presence.

Essential Skills to Hone in the Digital Age for Nurses in Kenya

To effectively navigate and leverage digital technology for safe and quality healthcare processes, nurses in Kenya need to hone a specific set of skills:

1. Digital Literacy and Proficiency:

   • What: Beyond basic computer skills, this includes proficiency in using EHR/EMR systems, telehealth platforms, mobile health applications, and other specialized healthcare software. It means understanding how to navigate interfaces, input data accurately, and extract relevant information efficiently.
   • Why: This is foundational for all other digital skills. Studies in Kenya have shown that low digital skills lead to more challenges and decreased EHR utilization (AJOL, 2017; ResearchGate, 2020). The Kenyan government is actively promoting foundational, basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills training (Smart Academy, n.d.).

2. Information Management and Data Analytics:

   • What: The ability to effectively search for, evaluate, synthesize, and utilize health information from digital sources. This includes understanding data security and privacy protocols (e.g., Kenya’s Data Protection Act), identifying patterns in patient data, and contributing to quality improvement initiatives by analyzing digitally collected data.
   • Why: Nurses are at the forefront of data generation. Interpreting data trends (e.g., patient vital signs, medication adherence rates) allows for proactive care and evidence-based decision-making.

3. Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning (Tech-Augmented):

   • What: While technology provides data, nurses must still apply critical thinking to interpret information, identify anomalies, and make sound clinical judgments. This involves discerning credible digital health information from misinformation and using CDSS tools as aids, not replacements for human judgment.
   • Why: Technology is a tool; the nurse’s clinical expertise remains paramount. Nurses need to be able to critically evaluate the output of AI and other systems.

4. Communication Technology Skills:

   • What: Proficiency in using telecommunication tools for virtual consultations (telehealth), secure messaging with colleagues, and sharing images or patient data securely. This also includes understanding virtual etiquette and maintaining professional boundaries in digital interactions.
   • Why: Effective communication is central to safe care. Digital tools facilitate this, but require specific skills to ensure clarity, privacy, and empathy in a virtual environment.

5. Adaptability and Lifelong Learning:

   • What: The willingness and ability to continuously learn new technologies, adapt to evolving software, and embrace changes in workflow.
   • Why: Digital healthcare is dynamic. What’s new today may be outdated tomorrow. Nurses must cultivate a mindset of continuous professional development to remain competent and effective.

6. Interprofessional Collaboration (Digitally Enhanced):

   • What: Skills in working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals using digital platforms, contributing to shared care plans, and participating in virtual team meetings.
   • Why: Complex patient care requires seamless teamwork. Digital tools facilitate this, but effective team dynamics and communication remain crucial.

By strategically developing these skills, nurses in Kenya can not only overcome the existing challenges but also fully harness the transformative power of digital technology to deliver safer, more efficient, and higher-quality healthcare services, ultimately improving patient outcomes across the country.