Evolving Digital Health Training Needs for the Modern Primary Care Physician: An International Focus Group Study
Edmond LI
The incorporation of digital health technologies in primary care settings is often seen as a means of addressing these ever-increasing needs while doing so in a sustainable manner. Current evidence suggests a gap exists between what is being taught to PCPs about the use of digital health tools and the actual challenges they face in routine care.1. To better understand the digital health training needs and preferences of PCPs. 2. To identify key digital health topics, effective teaching methods, modes of delivery, and evaluation tools/metrics which should be prioritised for inclusion in future training curricula 3. To identify key stakeholders who need to be involved in order to integrate relevant changes in training programmes.Focus groups with PCPs from an international background with experience using digital health tools were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was performed afterwards to identify any prominent themes.A total of 36 PCPs participated in the study across focus group sessions, (n=5) conducted during the WONCA 2024 conference (n=3), and remotely (n=2). Preliminary thematic analysis has highlighted the importance of integrating standardised digital health skillset training early on, balancing the use of digital health tools with traditional care delivery means, helping PCPs recognise data protection and confidentiality responsibilities, and the need for PCPs to be able to critically evaluate the efficacy and safety of digital health tools.There remains a notable gap between introducing new digital health tools and ensuring the current PCP workforce can make the most use out of them safely. Bridging this will require concerted effort throughout a PCP’s medical training and necessitate a multi-faceted approach. Doing so will help hasten digital health competency becoming routine, akin to other clinical skillsets current trainees are expected to be proficient in.As our understanding of digital health tools and their use proliferates, the skillset of the modern PCPs must likewise evolve to keep pace. Only by providing practical, relevant, and up-to-date training can we ensure PCPs are trained to use these tools comfortably and are best equipped to address the changing needs and expectations of patients for safe and efficient primary care.
