Paradox of digital adaptation: exploring the antecedents of technostress among female nurses in Bangladesh

Abstract

In the wake of technological advancements, there is growing recognition that digitalizing healthcare can significantly reduce costs, improve efficiency, and promote sustainability. Bangladesh, a South Asian developing economy, is progressing toward healthcare digitalization. Given that female nurses constitute a crucial component of Bangladesh’s healthcare workforce, understanding the antecedents of technostress among nurses is essential for the effective implementation of healthcare digitalization. Thirty female nurses from public and private hospitals were interviewed. The findings suggest that technological inertia persists among many senior nurses; however, their awareness of the positive impact of digital tools on patient care creates a cognitive dilemma. Although many younger nurses demonstrate a strong willingness to embrace digitalization, this willingness is often hindered by insufficient infrastructural support and training. For both younger and senior nurses, motivation to engage with digital health technologies is influenced by patients’ digital literacy and colleagues’ fear of technology. The lack of standardized processes across the country and technical glitches also contribute to frustration among nurses. The findings are expected to assist relevant policymakers by highlighting the multidimensional interactions among nurses’ technostress, organizational support, and the technological adaptability of patients and colleagues, thereby guiding the development of context-sensitive policies for effective healthcare digitalization.