JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Nursing informaticians’ role is established in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, supported by competency frameworks and educational programs that enable nurses to lead technological integration in healthcare. However, in Spain this role is not formally recognized and specialized university training is scarce, creating a significant gap in digital health leadership.

Objective:

The main aim was to analyze the international landscape of the nursing informatician role comparatively focusing on the situation in Spain to subsequently identify the specific gaps for its implementation through experts’ views and insights.

Methods:

Firstly, a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted throughout scientific evidence searched in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science between 2018 and 2025 as well as Grey literature on the topic. 49 published studies were included after screening 1356 records and 10 grey literature documents. Later findings were validated through a gap analysis comprising a panel of 10 experts selected according to their experience in digital literacy.

Results:

The review identified six core competencies for nursing informaticians: information management, cybersecurity and patient safety, evaluation and development of clinical information systems, leadership and coordination of digital tools, implementation of new technologies and specialized applications, and education and digitalization in health. Internationally, training is delivered via postgraduate programs, certifications, and leadership initiatives. Experts validated the relevance of these competencies for Spain (rated 5/5) and the feasibility of implementing training programs (rated 4.8/5). Key barriers identified were the lack of official recognition, scarce training, and organizational resistance to change.

Conclusions:

There is a contrast between the established role of nursing informaticians internationally and its absence in Spain. The lack of a formal framework and specific training programs are the primary barriers. Implementing validated competencies and tailored educational strategies is crucial for Spain to advance its digital health transformation and empower nursing leadership in technology.