I.T. for P.T.: developing digital health core competencies for physiotherapists
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Date
2019
Authors
Dyck, Katie
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Abstract
Background/Rationale: As electronic medical record (EMR) use increases within the physiotherapy community, development of digital health core competencies is necessary to promote digital health literacy. Currently no digital health competencies have been developed and no national digital health strategy exists in Canada to support physiotherapists with maximizing the value of health technology.
Purpose/Research Objectives: (1) To generate a baseline digital health literacy profile via an online survey; (2) To identify factors, and any relationships between factors, that may influence digital health adoption, implementation and optimization; and (3) To develop a digital health core competency framework, aligned with the existing national physiotherapy role-based framework, focused on improving digital health literacy.
Relevance: Robust digital health literacy can inform and enhance clinical practice, facilitate learning, support innovative research, and is a critical component to effective health system planning, policy development and advocacy for physiotherapy services.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive survey approach was undertaken to provide an environmental scan of technology use including benefits and challenges to adoption. Results were analyzed in the context of the Clinical Adoption Framework and the Diffusion of Innovations theory to explore successful adoption approaches and clinician engagement.
Results: A baseline digital health literacy profile for Manitoba physiotherapists was developed including adoption rates across five commonly used digital health systems in practice (e-Billing, e-Scheduling, e Documentation, e-Exercise Prescription and e- Outcome Measures). Results included comparison across those working in the public work sector and the private work sector, two unique cohorts in physiotherapy practice. Analysis of the data served as a needs assessment to target areas for education on digital health literacy identifying benefits, barriers and challenges to adoption. In addition, EMR use was evaluated in relation to reports of improvements in quality of care and productivity. Constructs identified through synthesis of the survey data facilitated development of a digital health core competency framework aligned with the existing national Competency Profile for Physiotherapists in Canada.
Conclusions: The goal of this work is to enable physiotherapists to successfully adopt, implement and optimize use of digital health systems in clinical practice to enhance patient care and support advocacy for physiotherapy services.
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Keywords
Physiotherapy, Clinical informatics, Digital health, Digital health literacy, Core competencies, eHealth