The Effects of Digital Literacy and Patient Personal Information Protection Awareness on Nursing Informatics Competency among Undergraduate Nursing Students
TL;DR
It is suggested that nursing education should integrate digital literacy and patient personal information protection awareness to strengthen nursing informatics competency.
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the levels of digital literacy, patient personal information protection awareness, and nursing informatics competency among undergraduate nursing students and to identify factors associated with nursing informatics competency. Methods: This descriptive survey study included 140 second- to fourth-year nursing students from a university in G Province, Korea. Data were collected through an online survey from December 15 to December 31, 2025, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis with SPSS 26.0. Results: The mean scores for digital literacy, patient personal information protection awareness, and nursing informatics competency were 3.75, 4.16, and 3.77, respectively. Academic year, GPA, completion of nursing informatics- related coursework, digital literacy, and patient personal information protection awareness were significantly associated with nursing informatics competency, explaining 47.6% of the variance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that nursing education should integrate digital literacy and patient personal information protection awareness to strengthen nursing informatics competency. Practice-oriented education on digital information use, electronic medical records, information security, and patient information protection is needed.