International Journal of Medical Reviews

International Journal of Medical Reviews

Digital Empathy in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors
1 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction:  Digital empathy has become an essential component in modern nursing care, particularly as healthcare systems 
increasingly  rely  on  digital  communication  tools.  This  systematic  review  explores  the  concept,  practical  applications,  and 
outcomes of digital empathy in nursing practice. The goal is to understand how digital empathy contributes to patient -centered 
care and emotional support in virtual healthcare settings.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, 
and  Magiran.  Keywords  included  "digital  empathy,"  "nursing  care,"  "virtual  communication,"  and  "patient -centered  care." 
Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were reviewed based on predefined inclusion criteria. The selected articles were 
analyzed to identify key themes and insights related to the implementation of digital empathy in nursing.
Results:  The findings highlight that digital empathy plays a crucial role in enhancing nurse–patient interactions across virtual 
care  platforms.  Interventions  such  as  online  training,  digital  empathy  tools,  and  AI-supported  communication  systems  have 
been shown to improve emotional engagement, patient satisfaction, and trust. However, challenges like reduced non -verbal 
cues and digital fatigue were also noted, emphasizing the need for better training in digital communication skills and more 
empathy-focused system designs.
Conclusion: Digital empathy has the potential to significantly improve the quality of nursing care in digital environments. While 
technology  can  facilitate  empathetic  communication,  maintaining  a  human -centered  approach  remains  essential.  Ongoing 
education and thoughtful design of digital tools that prioritize empathy are vital for delivering meaningful and compassionate 
care in virtual healthcare settings.
Keywords

Volume 12, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 988-995

  • Receive Date 08 April 2025
  • Revise Date 19 July 2025
  • Accept Date 05 August 2025