Exploring healthcare professionals' preparedness for health informatics in healthcare in a South African metropolitan city

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : The increased use of computing technologies has led to the integration of digital technologies in most human activities. The term health informatics (HI) is synonymous with the application of digitisation in healthcare. The increasing digitisation in the health sector necessitates HI and digital competencies. Accordingly, healthcare professionals need to be proficient in technology applications to be effective users. Consequently, this research explored healthcare professionals’ preparedness for HI and digitisation in the healthcare sector. METHODS : The guidelines of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) steps were employed to conduct the study. 31 participants were acquired through purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The interviewed participants comprised healthcare students, lecturers and practitioners from medicine, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics and dentistry disciplines. The data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis. RESULTS : The findings revealed that most participants possessed basic knowledge, except for a few technology enthusiasts. However, most were eager about healthcare digitisation. Most participants acquired computing skills through basic computer literacy classes during their education and work training programmes, but they were not adequately prepared for the inevitable complex digital technologies in healthcare. CONCLUSION : Considering current and future anticipated technological innovations, it is crucial to address healthcare professionals’ HI and digital competencies, which are likely to be further exacerbated by the fifth industrial revolution. It is imperative that healthcare stakeholders, including government bodies, regulatory agencies, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, prioritise engagement and strategies regarding the use of HI and technologies in healthcare.