Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41026697›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Digital nursing and midwifery leadership: Protocol for a multi-method exploration of policy implementation and impact on practice in the WHO European Region.

Gillian Janes, Lorna Chesterton, Joanne Reid, Vanessa Heaslip, Michael Shannon, Bente Lüdemann, Rolf-André Oxholm, João Gentil, Clayton Hamilton, Natasha Phillips

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Gillian JanesSchool of Nursing, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-1609-5898
Lorna ChestertonSchool of Nursing, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-9668-1941
Joanne ReidSchool of Nursing, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-5820-862X
Vanessa HeaslipSchool of Health and Society, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.
Michael ShannonFaculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Bente LüdemannNorwegian Nurses Organisation, Oslo, Norway.
Rolf-André OxholmNorwegian Nurses Organisation, Oslo, Norway.
João GentilPublic Health Unit, ULS Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-9667-379X
Clayton HamiltonRegional Office for Europe, World Health Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-7490-0691
Natasha PhillipsSchool of Health and Society, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital health is redefining nursing and midwifery practice, fuelled by national and international priorities for health improvement and workforce planning. Developing digitally enabled healthcare systems can help enable universal health coverage and improve safety outcomes while offering solutions to workforce shortages. However, research suggests that nursing/midwifery leaders are often absent from the strategic planning, design, and implementation of digitally enabled healthcare service models and the associated technological systems that directly impact practice.

objectivesThis paper presents the protocol for a sequential, multi-method exploration of digital health policy implementation and its impact on practice. This investigation from the perspective of national nursing/midwifery leaders, will increase understanding of the impact these professions have on national decision-making, which will be used to inform digital healthcare policy implementation and development across Europe and beyond.

methodsA purposive sample of national nursing/midwifery leaders across the WHO European region will be recruited. In Phase 1, individuals will be invited via email to participate in an anonymous online survey, with findings used to inform the topic guide for online focus groups in Phase 2. Descriptive statistical analysis of the survey dataset will be used to understand the range of countries, roles, contexts, participant experiences, and perceptions on which the findings are based. Where possible, analysis will be undertaken, e.g., by country, and participant role to identify any patterns, gaps, and key areas for further exploration during Phase 2. Survey respondents will be offered the opportunity to participate in an online focus group. Free text questions from the survey and data from focus groups will be transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. DISCUSSION: The study outlined within this paper will generate empirical data on to what extent and how national nursing/midwifery leaders influence the progress of digital healthcare, based on their experiences implementing key European policy. In gaining a better understanding of this policy implementation, and the role played by nursing and midwifery leaders, the factors that facilitate or hinder this process can be identified and better managed, to maximise the benefits of digital healthcare for population outcomes moving forward. ETHICAL APPROVAL: Ethical approval for this study was granted on 10.12.25 by Anglia Ruskin University [ID ETH2425-0725].

Indexed as

Health PolicyLeadershipMidwiferyEuropeHumansWorld Health Organization

Identifiers

PMID41026697
PMCPMC12483268

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.