Expanding the Framework: The Integral Role of Nurses inInformatics-Driven Telehealth for Addressing Social Determinantsof Health

Abstract

As healthcare systems increasingly transition toward digitally mediated models of care, the role of nurses particularly registered nurses (RNs) has evolved beyond traditional bedside functions into dynamic, data-informed, and equity-driven practice. Within a telehealth framework grounded in health informatics, nurses emerge not merely as participants in care delivery but as central agents in identifying, interpreting, and responding to the social determinants of health (SDOH) that shape patient outcomes. Their position at the intersection of clinical care, patient advocacy, and care coordination uniquely situates them to operationalize equity within technologically advanced healthcare systems.