Becoming Digital Competent – developing the healthcare professionals' skills in digital healthcare solutions

- THE PROJECT IS FINISHED. 

Read a Danish in-depth evaluation of the project. The evaluation is available in two forms that can be downloaded:

• A complete evaluation report on the "Becoming Digital Competent" project (blue) 
• A shortened version of the evaluation report "Educating the Healthcare Professionals in Becoming Digital Competent" (orange)

Strengthened Digital Skills

A part of the Digital Strategy 2016-2020, published by The Ministry for Health and Elderly, their main focus was on enhancing digitalisation within the public sector. The Ministry for Health and Elderly acknowledges healthcare professionals’ role in enhancing digitalisation in the healthcare services of the future. Therefore, the Ministry for Health and Elderly identified the need for healthcare professionals to further develop technological competencies and skills, as part of evolving the healthcare system.

As a result, the Region of Southern Denmark's Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark and "Steno Diabetescenter Odense og Tværsektorielt Samarbejde" began the "Becoming Digital Competent" project in cooperation with eight Danish municipalities and two educational institutions, all within the Region of Southern Denmark.

Purpose

The “Becoming Digital Competent” project's aim was to increase the digital skills among healthcare professionals working in hospitals and municipalities.

The goal of the project was to ensure that healthcare professionals will increase their knowledge and competencies of digital technology as a part of their daily work cycles, as well as increase proficiency in communicating with citizens/patients and caregivers via digitally supported health care.

The project's target group was healthcare professionals: nurses, dieticians, ergo- and physiotherapists who have digital contact with citizens on a present or future basis, and work within the hospitals and municipalities of the Region of Southern Denmark, and are teaching patient educational programs, responsible for online guidance, digital rehabilitation for citizens, telemedicine consultations, or provide guidance to citizens in the usage of new technology.

The objectives of the project

• Enhance knowledge and expertise regarding digital solutions within the healthcare sector
• Promote confidence among healthcare professionals in communicating with citizens via digital technology
• Further healthcare professionals’ skills in educating citizens in the practical use of digital devices and technological solutions as part of their treatment, care and/or rehabilitation
• To plan and develop educational modules for enhancing digital competencies among healthcare professionals.

Results

On the basis of uncovering needs and workshops across the partnership, a generic educational concept was developed. This can be applied in places where the staff need a fundamental introduction to technological healthcare solutions. 

UCL University College offer this education as a diploma module within their general adult education programmes or as an intersectorial elective.

The evaluation of the course has been conducted by University College South Denmark and on the basis of three physical pilot courses and one online webinar training. Among other things, the evaluation showed that

• The course inspired the participants in relation to their own practice and in relation to the development of personal skills within technological healthcare solutions 
• The course resulted in further development projects in daily practice. 

We refer to the evaluation reports done on this project for a more in-depth evaluation of the results. 

Facts

The project was a part of "Det Digitale Sundhedscenter" (The Digital Health Centre) 

The project was conducted in 2019. The Evaluation Report was published in November 2020

Partners

• Region of Southern Denmark
• Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark
• Steno Diabetes Centre Odense
• The following municipalities:
  • Varde 
  • Faaborg-Midtfyn 
  • Kolding 
  • Kerteminde 
  • Odense 
  • Svendborg 
  • Ærø
  • Halsnæs 
• UCL University College
• University College South Denmark