The dawn of Digital Health has revolutionized patient care. Technologies like Telemedicine, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), and Cybersecurity are vital elements in modern healthcare.

The integration and use of such technologies necessitate a workforce that can master digital skills, reshaping the traditional roles of healthcare professionals. This is a requirement of the world we live in today, especially considering that a Korn Ferry report revealed that by 2030, more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there won’t be sufficient skilled people to take them.

In this article, we explore how clinicians can master Digital Health skills to stay ahead of the game.

Let’s start from the top: what is Digital Health?

Defined by the “Federal Drug Administration” as technologies that “use computing platforms, connectivity, software, and sensors for healthcare and related uses”, Digital Health is a vast category that includes Telehealth, Telemedicine, personalized medicine, Mobile health (mHealth), wearable devices, and Health information technology (IT)”.

In other words, Digital Health is healthcare through technology that covers a wide range of applications from wearables to genomics.

The Digital Shift we have experienced in healthcare in the past years is crucial because it offers a partial solution by extending the reach of existing healthcare professionals and automating routine tasks. However, this technological shift creates a new challenge in training and development, and addressing the digital skills gap is crucial. This involves training current healthcare workers and incorporating digital competencies into medical and nursing education curricula. Continuous professional development and learning are essential to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies.

Why do you need Digital Health skills?

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a field that Digital Health belongs to, can enhance patient care and operational efficiency and be a game changer in healthcare areas ranging from diagnostics to treatment planning.

And what’s in it for you?

Mastering digital skills will:

1. Help you fight burnout

Burnout is a considerable threat to American healthcare: according to “Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2024”, 42 percent of the 9226 respondents surveyed declared they have been feeling burned out for more than 2 years. And while part of this percentage is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fact remains that 145,000 healthcare providers quit the profession from 2021 through 2022.

Moreover, according to the same report, 62% of the respondents indicate “too many bureaucratic tasks (charting, paperwork)” as the number one contributor to their burnout.

Digital Health skills such as understanding how to operate EHRs allow you to access patient information quickly, work with peers smoothly, and make better care decisions. This leads to less time spent searching or asking for different medical data like medical records or test results and translates into less workload and feeling less stressed, tired, and burned out.

Moreover, embracing dynamic solutions tools like AI voice-to-text technology or intuitive notification systems enables you to operate efficiently, focus on the patient, use technology for post-procedure checklists, and improve communication by sending reminders to caregivers. All this can offer you a deeper sense of fulfillment instead of feeling exhausted, like in a race against time to finish everything on your list.

2. Prepare you for new roles in healthcare

Today, a clinician must explore, learn, understand, and capitalize on tools like the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), Blockchain, Predictive Analytics, or generative AI to be a competitive candidate in the complex and exciting healthcare environment.

For instance, Digital Health tools are developed all the time to increase productivity and efficiency, and adapting fast to these technologies grants you an edge when discussing a promotion within your company or translating to a field outside the one you are in now.

Digital instruments like Musculoskeletal-Focused Digital Apps (MDAs) are used for behavioral health, treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and pain management. Understanding how such an app works to the point of being able to improve it will elevate patient care, reduce errors, and streamline processes, making the creator of such a development an invaluable asset for any company in healthcare.

Data Analytics, Telemedicine, and Remote Monitoring, Cybersecurity are just a few examples of impactful emerging healthcare industries in which you could land your next role, provided you master the skills entailed by Digital Health.

3. Help you improve patient health

Digital Therapeutics (DTx), products that must pass rigorous clinical validations and obtain regulatory approvals, are more and more often prescribed by clinicians as stand-alone treatments or combined with traditional medical protocols. They have already proved positive results in various diseases or disorders such as asthma, cancer, or insomnia.

By monitoring remotely their conditions, you help your patients manage their health more conveniently, efficiently, and effectively. These FDA-cleared devices can be integrated into your decision-making process, and they can provide higher adherence to recommended treatment plans, be more cost-effective, and deliver outstanding user experience, providing you with an advantage in a highly competitive market.

How to Master Digital Health Skills to Stay Ahead of the Game

Healthcare industries present a wide range of opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and career development, offering solutions that enhance patient care, improve healthcare delivery, and drive the future of medicine.

To access these opportunities, you need to gain a more profound understanding of the tools they work with: Digital Health skills.

According to the study “Empowerment for the Digital Transformation: Results of a Structured Blended-Learning On-the-Job Training for Practicing Physicians in Germany,” mastering digital competencies involves:

• Knowledge:
  Acquiring knowledge in areas like Telemedicine or data protection and security enables clinicians to feel more confident in their capacities to interact with patients in a digitally driven, dynamic health environment.

• Education:
  Education through training involves clinicians in the latest technologies, turning them into active factors in digital technology implementation.

• Attitude:
  Training allows clinicians to shift towards a more empowered mindset, preparing them for dealing with technical and ethical aspects of healthcare’s digital shift. Trained clinicians are also more willing to engage with the risks and opportunities implied by this transformation.

You can master Digital Health skills by:

• Obtaining additional certifications;

• Staying updated on the latest developments, emerging technologies, and best practices;

• Continuing education programs;

• Trying experiential learning;

• Surrounding yourself with people who master such skills;

• Accessing hands-on training;

• Remaining open to new opportunities;

• Accessing self-directed learning and professional development resources;

• Attending in-person workshops;

• Enrolling in online one-to-one sessions;

• Exploring on-the-job training;

• Studying the content made available by different authorities, such as the key steps and best practices or the Telehealth Implementation Playbook defined by the American Medical Association.

Remember: proper research on the Internet can help you identify the learning resources that fit your needs in terms of competencies you want to master, timing, and budgeted cost.

Mastering Digital Health skills cannot happen overnight: it will require thorough stages of learning and education, but the result will be worth it.