Empowering healthcare professionals: a panel of experts on digital skills
Digital technologies hold a power to revolutionise the healthcare sector. However, for them to reach their full potential, healthcare professionals need to have the right digital skills. We attended the Healthcare panel of experts to discussed how digital skills can transform healthcare delivery.
Held at the Centre for Biomedical Technologies of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Spain, this panel of experts addressed some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the integration of emerging technologies into healthcare. The event focused on how technological innovations are shaping the healthcare landscape, while also exploring the barriers to training and adoption that healthcare professionals face.
The growing need for digital skills in healthcare
As healthcare systems become more digitalised, the demand for digital skills is increasing across all levels of healthcare professionals. The panel highlighted the importance of staying ahead of the curve by ensuring that healthcare teams, from doctors to technicians, are equipped with the necessary knowledge to use and implement digital tools effectively. Technologies like AI and robotics can improve patient care, enhance medical team management, and streamline hospital operations, but they require a workforce that is digitally literate.
Barriers and success stories
During the session, key topics were addressed, such as identifying barriers to digital training, including issues like lack of time, limited or inflexible educational offerings, associated costs, and the absence of integration into professional career paths.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the event was hearing about real-life success stories where digital technologies had been successfully implemented to improve healthcare. The project examines key advancements of the case studies in Hospitals in Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Spain. These case studies demonstrate how digital tools are already making a tangible difference in healthcare quality and are proof that, when given the proper support and training, healthcare professionals can overcome challenges and deliver better care for patients.
Building networks for digital collaboration
Another important takeaway from the panel was the need for collaboration. Success in digital healthcare transformation isn’t just about individual hospitals or professionals; it’s about building a collaborative ecosystem. Creating networks for training, sharing best practices, and fostering ongoing education is essential for sustainable change.
Looking ahead: the future of digital health
The Horizon TechConnect panel highlighted the opportunity to address urgent needs in training and the integration of digital skills in healthcare professionals. The panel was a crucial step toward a more digitally skilled and adaptable healthcare workforce, and we’re excited to see how these conversations will continue to shape the future of healthcare.