Digital communication services facilitating nurse-patient dialog for home dwelling older adults: A scoping review

Katrine Staats; Ying Jiang; Xi Vivien Wu; Ellen Karine Grov; Ann-Helen Torstveit

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105340

Digital communication services facilitating nurse-patient dialog for home dwelling older adults: A scoping review

Int J Nurs Stud. 2026 Jan 13:176:105340. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105340. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Katrine Staats¹, Ying Jiang², Xi Vivien Wu³, Ellen Karine Grov⁴, Ann-Helen Torstveit⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health, Oslo Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs plass, NO-0130, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: katrines@oslomet.no.
² Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: jiangying@nus.edu.sg.
³ Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: vivien.wu@nus.edu.sg.
⁴ Institute of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health, Oslo Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs plass, NO-0130, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: ellgro@oslomet.no.
⁵ Institute of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health, Oslo Metropolitan University, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs plass, NO-0130, Oslo, Norway; Department of Health, Social and Welfare Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, P.O. Box 235, NO-3603, Kongsberg, Norway. Electronic address: ann-helen.torstveit@usn.no.

PMID: 41579438
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105340

Abstract

Background: The global aging population presents significant challenges for healthcare systems, as older adults often face chronic illnesses, functional limitations, and emotional challenges. Effective communication between nurses and home-dwelling older adults plays a key role in assessing needs, coordinating services, and ensuring quality care. Digital communication services have emerged as promising tools to enhance nurse-patient dialog. However, barriers such as physical or cognitive impairments, limited digital literacy, and usability challenges hinder their adoption and effectiveness.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence on how digital communication services facilitate nurse-patient dialog for home-dwelling older adults.

Design: A scoping review was performed following Arksey and O'Malley's framework.

Data sources: A systematic search was carried out in April 2024 with an updated search in May 2025, across five electronic databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL (EBSCOhost) and Web of Science.

Results: A total of 37 studies were included in the review, highlighting the overarching theme of "nodes in the digital nurse-patient communication", with three main themes: (1) digital communication services, (2) dynamic nurse-patient relationship and, (3) challenges in maintaining effective dialog.

Conclusion: Digital communication services, such as mobile applications, telemonitoring systems, and video conferencing, have the potential to enhance nurse-patient interactions by improving safety, efficiency, and emotional well-being. However, success depends on addressing usability challenges and supporting nurses with adequate resources. While digital tools cannot fully replicate trust, empathy, and dignity fostered through in-person interactions, hybrid care models integrating digital tools with in-person visits may offer promising approaches to delivering person-centered, dignified care that empowers older adults to live independently and securely in their homes.

Keywords: Digital communication; Geriatric nursing; Home-dwelling older adults; Nurse communication; Scoping review.

Publication types

Review