Digital Health Tools in Nursing Practice: The Mediating Role of Clinical Decision-Making Efficiency
Abstract
Digital health tools are transforming nursing practice by enhancing patient care, streamlining workflow, and improving healthcare outcomes. These tools include electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health applications, telehealth platforms, remote monitoring devices, and clinical decision support systems. While the adoption of digital health technologies offers significant benefits, the effectiveness of these tools in improving nursing outcomes often depends on how efficiently they enhance clinical decision-making. This study investigates the impact of digital health tools on nursing practice and explores the mediating role of clinical decision-making efficiency. Digital health tools are conceptualized as technological interventions that support information access, communication, monitoring, and patient management. Clinical decision-making efficiency, as a mediator, reflects nurses’ ability to interpret patient data, make timely judgments, and implement effective care plans. A quantitative research design was employed, using structured questionnaires distributed to registered nurses, nurse managers, and clinical informatics specialists across multiple healthcare institutions. Data were analyzed using Smart PLS structural equation modeling to examine the direct effects of digital health tools on nursing practice and the mediating effect of clinical decision-making efficiency. Results indicate that digital health tools significantly enhance nursing practice, improving patient care quality, workflow efficiency, and job performance. Clinical decision-making efficiency partially mediates this relationship, highlighting its critical role in translating technological adoption into effective clinical outcomes. The study underscores the importance of integrating decision-support functionalities and training programs to maximize the benefits of digital health tools in nursing practice. These findings provide actionable insights for healthcare administrators, nurse educators, and policymakers aiming to optimize digital integration in clinical settings.
