With the rapid adoption of digital technologies in Canada’s healthcare system, there is a growing need for a comprehensive overhaul of health professional education. A group of Canadian researchers from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and the University of Calgary have recently published an article in JMIR Medical Education, proposing a new framework to prioritize digital health and informatics competencies for healthcare workers.
The article, titled “Shaping the Future of Digital Health Education in Canada: Prioritizing Competencies for Health Care Professionals Using the Quintuple Aim,” highlights the fragmented and inconsistent nature of current education, leaving healthcare professionals ill-prepared to effectively utilize tools like telehealth, electronic health records, and data analytics. The proposed framework aligns digital health competencies with five key goals known as the Quintuple Aim: improving patient experience, boosting population health, lowering healthcare costs, enhancing provider experience, and advancing health equity.
Key skills such as digital literacy, privacy awareness, user-friendly technology integration, data-informed decision-making, and inclusive access are identified and prioritized within this model. The authors stress the importance of including practical, real-world assessments in training programs, such as simulation exercises and project-based evaluations, to ensure that professionals are equipped to apply their knowledge in practical settings.
Tracie Risling, one of the authors from the University of Calgary, emphasizes the need for additional professional development opportunities in digital health to drive sustainable change in Canada’s healthcare systems. The article calls for national standards while allowing for local adaptation to tailor education to regional health needs and resources. Collaboration among healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and technology developers is also highlighted as crucial to keeping educational programs aligned with rapid innovation.
In conclusion, this research underscores the urgency for cohesive and forward-thinking education strategies to prepare Canada’s healthcare workforce for the digital age. By prioritizing digital health competencies and leveraging the Quintuple Aim framework, the country can strive towards better outcomes for all. For more information, the article can be accessed in JMIR Medical Education under the DOI: 10.2196/75904.
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