Geronimo Jimenez1, Pier Spinazze2, David Matchar3, Gerald Koh Choon Huat4, Rianne M J J van der Kleij5, Niels H Chavannes6, Josip Car7. 1. Centre for Population Health Sciences (CePHaS), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands. Electronic address: geronimo.jimenez@gmail.com. 2. Centre for Population Health Sciences (CePHaS), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Electronic address: dr.p.spinazze@gmail.com. 3. Health Services and Systems Research (HSSR), Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. Electronic address: david.matchar@duke-nus.edu.sg. 4. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: ephkohch@nus.edu.sg. 5. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.j.van_der_kleij@lumc.nl. 6. Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands. Electronic address: N.H.Chavannes@lumc.nl. 7. Centre for Population Health Sciences (CePHaS), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Electronic address: josip.car@ntu.edu.sg.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite digital health providing opportunities to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of primary healthcare, the adoption of digital tools and technologies has been slow, partly because of poor digital health literacy. For primary healthcare systems to take full advantage of these technologies, a capable, digitally literate workforce is necessary. Still, the essential digital health competencies (DHCs) for primary healthcare have not been explored. This review aims to examine the broad literature on DHCs as it applies to Primary Care (PC) settings. METHODS: We performed a scoping review on all types of research linking DHCs to PC. We searched all major databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in November 2019. Concurrently, a thorough grey literature search was performed through OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and key government and relevant professional associations' websites. Screening and selection of studies was performed in pairs, and data was analysed and presented using a narrative, descriptive approach. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key DHC domains. RESULTS: A total of 28 articles were included, most of them (54 %) published before 2005. These articles were primarily aimed at PC physicians or general practitioners, and focused on improving knowledge about information technologies and medical informatics, basic computer and information literacy, and optimal use of electronic medical records. We identified 17 DHC domains, and important knowledge gaps related to digital health education and curriculum integration, the need for evidence of the impact of services, and the importance of wider support for digital health. CONCLUSIONS: Literature explicitly linking DHCs to PC was mostly published over a decade ago. There is a need for an updated and current set of DHCs for PC professionals to more consistently reap the benefits of digital technologies. This review identified key DHC domains and statements that may be used to guide on the development of a set of DHC for PC, and critical knowledge gaps and needs to be considered. Such a DHC set may be used for curricula development and for ensuring that the essential DHC for PC are met at a clinical or organizational level, and eventually improve health outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Despite digital health providing opportunities to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of primary healthcare, the adoption of digital tools and technologies has been slow, partly because of poor digital health literacy. For primary healthcare systems to take full advantage of these technologies, a capable, digitally literate workforce is necessary. Still, the essential digital health competencies (DHCs) for primary healthcare have not been explored. This review aims to examine the broad literature on DHCs as it applies to Primary Care (PC) settings. METHODS: We performed a scoping review on all types of research linking DHCs to PC. We searched all major databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in November 2019. Concurrently, a thorough grey literature search was performed through OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and key government and relevant professional associations' websites. Screening and selection of studies was performed in pairs, and data was analysed and presented using a narrative, descriptive approach. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key DHC domains. RESULTS: A total of 28 articles were included, most of them (54 %) published before 2005. These articles were primarily aimed at PC physicians or general practitioners, and focused on improving knowledge about information technologies and medical informatics, basic computer and information literacy, and optimal use of electronic medical records. We identified 17 DHC domains, and important knowledge gaps related to digital health education and curriculum integration, the need for evidence of the impact of services, and the importance of wider support for digital health. CONCLUSIONS: Literature explicitly linking DHCs to PC was mostly published over a decade ago. There is a need for an updated and current set of DHCs for PC professionals to more consistently reap the benefits of digital technologies. This review identified key DHC domains and statements that may be used to guide on the development of a set of DHC for PC, and critical knowledge gaps and needs to be considered. Such a DHC set may be used for curricula development and for ensuring that the essential DHC for PC are met at a clinical or organizational level, and eventually improve health outcomes.
Authors: Francesco Blasi; Enrico Gianluca Caiani; Matteo Giuseppe Cereda; Daniela Donetti; Marco Montorsi; Vincenzo Panella; Gaia Panina; Felicia Pelagalli; Elisabetta Speroni Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-06-29
Authors: Daniel Frings; Susie Sykes; Adeola Ojo; Gillian Rowlands; Andrew Trasolini; Kevin Dadaczynski; Orkan Okan; Jane Wills Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-04-05 Impact factor: 3.295