Abstract

Aims and objectives: To identify key areas of competence for digitalisation in healthcare settings, describe healthcare professionals’ competencies in these areas and identify factors related to their competence.

Background: Digitalisation requires changes in healthcare practices, policies and actions to revise job expectations and workflows. The aspects of patient safety and integration of digitalisation into the professional context necessitate an assessment of healthcare professionals’ competencies in digitalisation.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following Center of Reviews and Dissemination guidelines, including application of a PRISMA statement. Four databases—CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE (Ovid), Web of Science and Academic Search Premiere (EBSCO)—were searched for relevant original peer‐reviewed studies published between 2012–2017. Twelve were chosen for final analysis: five quantitative studies and seven qualitative studies, which were, respectively, subjected to narrative and thematic synthesis.

Results: Key competence areas regarding digitalisation from a healthcare perspective identified encompass knowledge of digital technology and the digital skills required to provide good patient care, including associated social and communication skills, and ethical considerations of digitalisation in patient care. Healthcare professionals need the motivation and willingness to acquire experience of digitalisation in their professional context. Collegial and organisational support appear to be essential factors for building positive experiences of digitalisation for healthcare professionals.

Conclusion: Healthcare organisations should both pay attention to the social environment of a workplace and create a positive atmosphere if they want to improve the response to digitalisation. The successful implementation of new technology requires organisational and collegial support.

Relevance to clinical practice: Recommendations for clinical practice include the following: development of competence in digitalisation by healthcare professionals when using technological equipment to minimise errors; provision of sufficient resources, equipment and room for technology usage; and provision of regular education that considers the participants’ competencies.