Developing a Digital Competency Framework for Healthcare Professionals: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Background

Digital health literacy (DHL) refers to the ability to find, understand, evaluate, and apply digital health information, as well as to competently use digital technologies in healthcare. Strengthening DHL is a strategic objective of Austria’s eHealth Strategy (2024). However, a systematic overview of existing initiatives, educational programs, and competency profiles for healthcare providers (HCPs) in Austria is currently lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate a competency framework for HCPs through a scoping review and Delphi process.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was applied. First, a desk review screened curricula of Austrian higher education institutions for DHL-related content. Second, a scoping review identified existing digital competency profiles for HCPs and informed a draft competency framework. Finally, the framework was validated through a two-round Delphi process with experts in digital health and curriculum development (round 1: n = 34; round 2: n = 19).

Results

A comprehensive overview of DHL integration in Austrian healthcare education was developed, differentiated by professional fields. The scoping review included eight studies and informed a draft framework comprising 28 competencies. Following the Delphi process, 20 competencies remained. Experts rated documentation, health information and records management, communication, data security, and quality and safety in healthcare as the five most relevant competencies.

Conclusions

This study resulted in a validated competency framework for HCPs in Austria that can support curriculum development and strengthen digital health competencies in the healthcare workforce. Future work should further operationalize the identified competency areas by translating them into concrete learning objectives and curriculum-ready modules in collaboration with relevant stakeholders

Key messages

• A validated digital health competency framework for healthcare providers in Austria was developed, providing an evidence-based foundation for digital health literacy in healthcare education.

• The study highlights the need to translate digital health competencies into concrete learning objectives and to differentiate between cross-professional and profession-specific competencies.