Measurement Properties of Instruments Assessing Digital Competence in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Fabio D'Agostino; Ilaria Erba; Elske Ammenwerth; Vered Robinzon; Gad Segal; Nissim Harel; Elisabetta Corvo; Refael Barkan; Hadas Lewy; Noemi Giannetta

doi:10.1055/a-2780-7093

Measurement Properties of Instruments Assessing Digital Competence in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Fabio D'Agostino
, Ilaria Erba
, Elske Ammenwerth
, Vered Robinzon
, Gad Segal
, Nissim Harel
, Elisabetta Corvo
, Refael Barkan
, Hadas Lewy
, Noemi Giannetta

Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences
Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology
Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer
Azrieli College of Engineering
CNAI - Consociazione Nazionale infermieri/e - Italian Nursing Association
Entrepreneurship and Internationalization HIT-Holon Institute of Technology
Holon Institute of Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background

The digital transformation of healthcare is reshaping care delivery among healthcare professionals, requiring nurses to develop digital competencies. These competencies are essential but often underdeveloped due to limited training and resources. Global initiatives emphasize integrating these competencies into nursing education, necessitating valid instruments to assess them.

Objective

This systematic review aims to identify instruments measuring digital competence in nursing and to assess their measurement properties.

Methods

This review was registered in PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42024522349) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus on instruments assessing digital competencies in nursing and reporting measurement properties. Measurement properties and their methodological quality were assessed using the COSMIN criteria, and the overall quality of the evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach.

Results

A total of 27 instruments were identified, relating to three interconnected constructs: nursing informatics, digital health, and information and communication technology. Based on their measurement properties, the instruments were categorized into three groups (A, B, C) following the COSMIN methodology to support recommendations for use. Six instruments were classified under category A (recommended for use): the DigiHealthCom and DigiComInf instruments, the Turkish version of TANIC, the short version of ITASH, the Digital Competence Questionnaire, and the 30-item Arabic version of SANICS. Twenty instruments were categorized under category B (potentially recommendable, but further validation is needed). One instrument was placed in category C (not recommended for use).

Conclusion

As digital competence becomes an increasing priority in education and public health, valid and reliable instruments are essential for assessing and monitoring these competencies. Such instruments support the identification of training needs, the evaluation of educational outcomes, and the integration of digital skills into nursing curricula and clinical practice, ultimately strengthening the digital readiness of the nursing workforce.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-18
Number of pages	18
Journal	Applied Clinical Informatics
Volume	17
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2780-7093
Publication status	Published - 6 Jan 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Humans
Nursing
Clinical Competence
Surveys and questionnaires

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10.1055/a-2780-7093Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Measurement Properties of Instruments Assessing Digital Competence in Nursing: A Systematic Review",

abstract = "Background The digital transformation of healthcare is reshaping care delivery among healthcare professionals, requiring nurses to develop digital competencies. These competencies are essential but often underdeveloped due to limited training and resources. Global initiatives emphasize integrating these competencies into nursing education, necessitating valid instruments to assess them. Objective This systematic review aims to identify instruments measuring digital competence in nursing and to assess their measurement properties. Methods This review was registered in PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42024522349) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus on instruments assessing digital competencies in nursing and reporting measurement properties. Measurement properties and their methodological quality were assessed using the COSMIN criteria, and the overall quality of the evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach. Results A total of 27 instruments were identified, relating to three interconnected constructs: nursing informatics, digital health, and information and communication technology. Based on their measurement properties, the instruments were categorized into three groups (A, B, C) following the COSMIN methodology to support recommendations for use. Six instruments were classified under category A (recommended for use): the DigiHealthCom and DigiComInf instruments, the Turkish version of TANIC, the short version of ITASH, the Digital Competence Questionnaire, and the 30-item Arabic version of SANICS. Twenty instruments were categorized under category B (potentially recommendable, but further validation is needed). One instrument was placed in category C (not recommended for use). Conclusion As digital competence becomes an increasing priority in education and public health, valid and reliable instruments are essential for assessing and monitoring these competencies. Such instruments support the identification of training needs, the evaluation of educational outcomes, and the integration of digital skills into nursing curricula and clinical practice, ultimately strengthening the digital readiness of the nursing workforce.",

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T1 - Measurement Properties of Instruments Assessing Digital Competence in Nursing: A Systematic Review

AU - D'Agostino, Fabio

AU - Erba, Ilaria

AU - Ammenwerth, Elske

AU - Robinzon, Vered

AU - Segal, Gad

AU - Harel, Nissim

AU - Corvo, Elisabetta

AU - Barkan, Refael

AU - Lewy, Hadas

AU - Giannetta, Noemi

PY - 2026/1/6

Y1 - 2026/1/6

N2 - Background The digital transformation of healthcare is reshaping care delivery among healthcare professionals, requiring nurses to develop digital competencies. These competencies are essential but often underdeveloped due to limited training and resources. Global initiatives emphasize integrating these competencies into nursing education, necessitating valid instruments to assess them. Objective This systematic review aims to identify instruments measuring digital competence in nursing and to assess their measurement properties. Methods This review was registered in PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42024522349) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus on instruments assessing digital competencies in nursing and reporting measurement properties. Measurement properties and their methodological quality were assessed using the COSMIN criteria, and the overall quality of the evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach. Results A total of 27 instruments were identified, relating to three interconnected constructs: nursing informatics, digital health, and information and communication technology. Based on their measurement properties, the instruments were categorized into three groups (A, B, C) following the COSMIN methodology to support recommendations for use. Six instruments were classified under category A (recommended for use): the DigiHealthCom and DigiComInf instruments, the Turkish version of TANIC, the short version of ITASH, the Digital Competence Questionnaire, and the 30-item Arabic version of SANICS. Twenty instruments were categorized under category B (potentially recommendable, but further validation is needed). One instrument was placed in category C (not recommended for use). Conclusion As digital competence becomes an increasing priority in education and public health, valid and reliable instruments are essential for assessing and monitoring these competencies. Such instruments support the identification of training needs, the evaluation of educational outcomes, and the integration of digital skills into nursing curricula and clinical practice, ultimately strengthening the digital readiness of the nursing workforce.

AB - Background The digital transformation of healthcare is reshaping care delivery among healthcare professionals, requiring nurses to develop digital competencies. These competencies are essential but often underdeveloped due to limited training and resources. Global initiatives emphasize integrating these competencies into nursing education, necessitating valid instruments to assess them. Objective This systematic review aims to identify instruments measuring digital competence in nursing and to assess their measurement properties. Methods This review was registered in PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42024522349) and conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was performed in CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus on instruments assessing digital competencies in nursing and reporting measurement properties. Measurement properties and their methodological quality were assessed using the COSMIN criteria, and the overall quality of the evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach. Results A total of 27 instruments were identified, relating to three interconnected constructs: nursing informatics, digital health, and information and communication technology. Based on their measurement properties, the instruments were categorized into three groups (A, B, C) following the COSMIN methodology to support recommendations for use. Six instruments were classified under category A (recommended for use): the DigiHealthCom and DigiComInf instruments, the Turkish version of TANIC, the short version of ITASH, the Digital Competence Questionnaire, and the 30-item Arabic version of SANICS. Twenty instruments were categorized under category B (potentially recommendable, but further validation is needed). One instrument was placed in category C (not recommended for use). Conclusion As digital competence becomes an increasing priority in education and public health, valid and reliable instruments are essential for assessing and monitoring these competencies. Such instruments support the identification of training needs, the evaluation of educational outcomes, and the integration of digital skills into nursing curricula and clinical practice, ultimately strengthening the digital readiness of the nursing workforce.

KW - Humans

KW - Nursing

KW - Clinical Competence

KW - Surveys and questionnaires

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U2 - 10.1055/a-2780-7093

DO - 10.1055/a-2780-7093

M3 - Article

SN - 1869-0327

VL - 17

SP - 1

EP - 18

JO - Applied Clinical Informatics

JF - Applied Clinical Informatics

IS - 1

ER -

Measurement Properties of Instruments Assessing Digital Competence in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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