Nurse Managers as Promoters of Health Literacy Supported by Information Systems
Published 2025-11-15
Keywords
- Nursing; Nursing Administration Research; Health Literacy; Health Information Systems; Health Policy
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Nuno Santos, Sílvia Matias, António Pereira, Carolina Pinto, Rafael Oliveira, Sandra Domingues, Ana Cláudia Santos, Helena Pestana, Elisabete Nunes, Pedro Lucas
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Introduction
Health literacy, a multidimensional concept essential to equity and the sustainability of healthcare systems, empowers individuals to make informed decisions and use services effectively, overcoming sociocultural and economic barriers. Nurse managers play a strategic role in its promotion by combining leadership with standardized nursing information systems. This article offers a reflective analysis of this integration, with a particular focus on advancing health literacy.
Objective
To analyze the competencies of nurse managers and their interaction with nursing information systems in promoting health literacy.
Methods
This is a theoretical reflection grounded in a narrative literature review. Recent publications and foundational works were analyzed, emphasizing the evolution of concepts, technological integration in healthcare, and nursing management practices. The analysis is structured around four thematic axes that link conceptual foundations with practical implications.
Results
Findings indicate that the relationship between health literacy and health information systems significantly affects the safety and quality of care. Nurse managers emerge as key facilitators, leveraging health information systems to promote health literacy, thereby empowering both healthcare professionals and the public to manage health information more effectively. Integrating these dimensions has proven essential for improving clinical practice, enabling more effective leadership and more data-informed decision-making.
Conclusion
This theoretical reflection highlights the role of nurse managers in promoting health literacy by integrating leadership competencies, strategic information management, and effective use of health information systems. This integrative approach positions nurse managers as catalysts for citizen empowerment, contributing to equitable, informed, and sustainable care practices. By proposing an interdisciplinary conceptual framework, the study expands the discussion of nursing management as
a driver of quality and empowerment in advancing health literacy.