Publication:

Current nursing and midwifery role in shaping digital health policy and practices for nursing professionals: an integrative systematic review

As healthcare systems undergo rapid digital transformation, nursing and midwifery professionals are increasingly positioned to shape digital health policies and practices, yet their roles often remain fragmented and underrecognized. This integrative review, conducted under the PRISMA framework, synthesized evidence from five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) covering 2015-2025, with quality assessment guided by MMAT and CASP. Out of 2,184 records screened, 10 studies met inclusion criteria, revealing four key areas of contribution: digital health leadership and advocacy, clinical informatics and data stewardship, participation in policy development, and digital education and literacy enhancement. Despite these contributions, barriers such as limited digital competencies, exclusion from policymaking, and institutional inertia persist. Overall, the findings underscore the vital yet underleveraged influence of nurses and midwives in digital health governance. To optimize their impact, systemic enablers including leadership pathways, digital education reforms, and stronger interdisciplinary collaboration are essential, ensuring these professionals can effectively contribute to equitable and transformative healthcare systems.