Technology enabled learning: changing the landscape for remote and rural healthcare staff in Scotland using technology enabled learning

Digital technology offers the opportunity to transform the way public services are delivered across Scotland, both in the cost of their delivery and to improve the experience of those who use these services. It is recognised that the strategic priority to achieve at scale change now is through workforce education and increasing capability in exploiting technology and information to improve and transform services. NHS Education for Scotland (NES) completed a baseline survey of 13 000 health and social care staff in 2014 to determine current access to and use of digital technology in workplace and at home. The results provide a baseline against which progress will be measured and used to inform development of targeted workforce core capabilities framework and technology enabled training programmes.
Summary of survey results: The results confirmed a clear set of learning domains to guide development of technology enabled learning (TEL) programmes. Staff currently make greater use of technology available outside work than within. Almost 80% of the survey group agree technology could help with training and learning to help capability at work. Only half of the group currently use some form of technology to support care delivery, with TEL options limited and basic. There are a range of programmes underway aimed at addressing the remote and rural workforce needs for support and training in using technology to help deliver care and access ongoing education. This presentation will highlight programmes of work underway in relation to survey findings and future workforce education needs.

This abstract was presented at the Innovative Solutions in Remote Healthcare - 'Rethinking Remote' conference, 23-24 May 2016, Inverness, Scotland.