By Michele Alves
The digital transformation that has been taking place in the healthcare sector in recent years poses a crucial challenge: the need for healthcare professionals to constantly update their skills. With the rapid advancement of technologies such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and electronic health records, it has become essential for doctors, nurses, managers, and other professionals to acquire new skills to deal with these tools that are redefining the way care is provided.
This demand for training did not emerge gradually; on the contrary, it was intensified by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced a rapid migration to digital platforms. From one moment to the next, many professionals were forced to adopt digital tools without the necessary preparation, highlighting a significant gap in the training and ongoing development of these professionals. According to recent studies, 80% of healthcare professionals participated in digital technology training programs in the last two years, reflecting a considerable effort to adapt to this new reality. However, there is still much to be done.
The need to become proficient in digital technologies is just the tip of the iceberg. Healthcare professionals now need to integrate these innovations into their workflow, which involves not only learning how to use new tools, but also understanding how they can improve patient care and the operational efficiency of healthcare institutions. Tools like telemedicine, for example, which have seen a 53% increase in their use since the start of the pandemic, require technical knowledge and adaptation that goes beyond traditional medical practice.
However, this adaptation faces significant barriers. The lack of skilled healthcare technology workers is a growing problem. With technology evolving rapidly, staying current has become a constant challenge. Many healthcare professionals do not receive adequate or ongoing training, which limits their ability to utilize these technologies effectively. This is exacerbated by the shortage of professionals with expertise in IT and project management, areas that are critical to the successful integration of new technologies into healthcare systems.
This shortage not only affects the implementation of new technologies, but also directly impacts the quality of patient care. Professionals who are not properly trained to use technologies such as artificial intelligence or data analysis tools are unable to provide the personalized and efficient care that these innovations promise. The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) has highlighted that the demand for medical informatics specialists is growing faster than the supply, which only increases the challenge of adequately training the healthcare workforce.
To address these challenges, it is essential that the healthcare sector invests in ongoing training and professional development programs. Initiatives such as the telemedicine and telehealth best practices course, offered by Saúde Digital Brasil in partnership with Med.IQ Academy, are essential to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to navigate this new digital landscape. These programs not only help to fill the knowledge gap, but also ensure that the adoption of new technologies is done safely and effectively, benefiting both professionals and patients.
Furthermore, including digital health-related subjects in university curricula is crucial to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals for future challenges. Education, therefore, emerges as the main pillar to ensure that digital transformation in healthcare is accompanied by a skilled workforce capable of using new technologies effectively and safely.
In other words, digital transformation in healthcare cannot be successful without the ongoing training of professionals working in this sector. Technology alone is not enough; the knowledge and skills of professionals in using it will determine the true impact of these innovations on patient care and the efficiency of healthcare systems. Therefore, investing in education and training is not just a necessity; it is an urgent need that must be met in order to reap the rewards of truly transformative digital healthcare.
Michele Alves is Executive Manager of Saúde Digital Brasil.
