Mapping and Assessing Existing Digital Skills Training Programs for Health Care Professionals and Health Managers in Europe: Expert-Based Survey for Investigating the Landscape, Accessibility, and Effectiveness of Training Initiatives.

Abstract

Digital skills training in health is crucial to ensure that the health care workforce is equipped to leverage the potential of digital technologies in delivering efficient and effective care. Identifying existing training programs can be valuable to describe gaps and opportunities for acceleration in the digital age. This study aimed to map and assess existing continuous education and professional development training options in digital skills in health. As part of the EU-funded project entitled "TRANSiTION - Digital Transition and Digital Resilience in Oncology," an expert-based approach was implemented to identify training programs in 14 European countries. The data were collected via an online survey that was developed for the purpose of this study and consisted of 23 questions categorized in 5 domains: general information, reaction, learning, behavior, and results. The analysis was performed using the 4-level Kirkpatrick model and the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens. The analysis of the data showed that 39.6% (19/48) of cases reported no official training in digital skills for the health care workforce, despite the fact that in 95.8% (45/47) of the cases digital solutions were used in the daily practice. Digital skills were a professional qualification in 31.3% (4.38/14) of the countries, and 32 out of 57 programs were provided by academic institutions. Half of the countries scored lower than the mean in the overall performance status according to the Kirkpatrick model, which reflects the gap in knowledge and skills of the workforce. Countries scored at the average or lower in all models' domains: reaction 92.9% (13/14), behavior 78.6% (11/14), learning 71.4% (10/14), and results 50% (7/14). The quality of the programs was poor, as less than half of the competencies were met, and the evaluation reflects the great need for improving health workforce education in digital skills and the application of health technologies in practice. There was variance in the availability and quality of digital skills training across Europe. The development of a comprehensive training program targeted to improve health care professionals' and health managers' knowledge and skills, as well as the incorporation of digital tools into practice, is crucial.