Introduction

Digital health and eHealth are terms often used interchangeably and are generally defined as the use of information and communications technology in support of health and health-related fields.1 Digital technology can include direct approaches such as digital applications, wearable devices, telehealth and indirect approaches such as the collection and use of data to inform service development. Recently, interest has increased in the use of digital health to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of healthcare.2 Digital health technologies have the potential to improve health outcomes, provided the technology is safe, fit for purpose and universally accessible, and that the professionals using it, including nurses and midwives, are capable and confident. The World Health Assembly adoption of resolution WHA71.7 on digital health in 2018 mandated the development of a global strategy on digital health, which led to the publication of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025 by the WHO in 20203 along with the subsequent development and approval of the Regional Digital Health Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023–20304 at the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2022. This action plan underscores digital health literacy as a key strategic priority for the European Region and highlights the need to identify core competencies of digital health literacy in the health workforce.

Nurses and midwives are fundamental to the digital agenda. They are the largest healthcare professional group, responsible for 90% of care delivered,5 as such efforts have been made to identify digital competencies for nurses and midwives in Europe.6–8 This is particularly pertinent as countries re-examine the burden on nurses and midwives due the increased service pressures following the COVID-19 pandemic and recognise opportunities for digital applications to reduce the burden on health professionals.9 Multiple reviews have …