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This review aims to explore healthcare professionals' experiences and factors affecting their innovation competence.

January 20, 2026Journal of Advanced Nursing0 citationsOpen Access

Innovation Competence in Healthcare: Individual, Environmental and Organisational Factors—A Mixed‐Method Systematic Review

MSMari SaukkoriipiUniversity of Oulu OKOuti KansteOulu University Hospital EJErika JarvaUniversity of Oulu

Key Points

This review aims to explore healthcare professionals' experiences and factors affecting their innovation competence.
Conducted a mixed-methods systematic review with 2996 initial studies screened.
Included 18 studies: 16 quantitative and 2 qualitative.
Used inductive content analysis for qualitative data and narrative synthesis for quantitative data.
Identified three qualitative categories of innovation competence experiences: competences for innovation, application and impact, and implementation challenges.
Quantitative studies revealed three domains: individual capacities, competence behaviors, and social/organisational enablers.
Four categories of associated factors were identified: sociodemographic, career-related, organisational, and academic.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aims To identify healthcare professionals' experiences of innovation competence and the factors associated with it; and to examine the instruments developed to assess innovation competence and its associated factors among healthcare professionals. Design A mixed‐methods systematic review. Methods Researchers independently screened original studies by title and abstract ( n = 2996) and then full text ( n = 189). Eighteen studies were included: 16 quantitative and two qualitative. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive content analysis, and quantitative data were tabulated and synthesised narratively. Data Sources The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute Mixed Methods Systematic Review methodology. Searches were conducted in Scopus, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, ProQuest, Web of Science, PsycArticles, and Medic. Articles published in English or Finnish with no date restrictions were included. The search covered records from database inception to August 2024. Results From qualitative studies, we identified three categories describing experiences of innovation competence: Competences for Innovation in Healthcare, Application and Impact of Innovation in Healthcare, and Challenges and Strategies for Implementing Innovation. Quantitative studies identified three conceptual domains: Individual Capacities in Innovation, Innovation‐related Competence Behaviours, and Social and Organisational Enablers. Four categories of factors associated with innovation competence emerged: sociodemographic, career‐related, organisational, and academic factors. Conclusions Healthcare professionals' innovation competence is a multifaceted construct encompassing individual abilities, behavioural expressions, and social and organisational engagement. A systematic and multilevel approach that targets both personal attributes and organisational enablers is needed to strengthen competence. Enhancing innovation competence can improve the healthcare sector's ability to respond to complex challenges and sustain innovation capacity. Impact Findings inform the development of education programmes and leadership strategies to enhance innovation competence among healthcare professionals, supporting innovation implementation in healthcare organisations. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public involvement was included in this study. Trial Registration PROSPERO: CRD42024614551

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