Digital competence in healthcare depends on age and support
Digital technology has become an essential part of everyday life in Norwegian health and social services. The use of digital tools significantly influences how healthcare personnel document patient information, communicate with colleagues, and provide necessary help to patients.
A new study shows, however, that the skills of employees vary considerably. There are major differences in how confident healthcare workers feel when using new technology, and these differences are often linked to age and how much experience the individual has with digital systems.
In addition to age, organizational support plays an important role. Employees who receive good training and enough time to familiarize themselves with new programs report a more efficient workday. When the workplace facilitates learning, it becomes easier for healthcare personnel to adopt technology in a secure manner.
For the healthcare service to function optimally, it is important that all employees have the required competence. The findings suggest that employers must invest more in systematic training to ensure that technology actually contributes to better patient care, regardless of the employees' age or previous experience.