Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?

Barry Matthews

doi:10.30935/cedtech/11072

Barry Matthews ¹ ^*

More Detail

CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 13, Issue 4, Article No: ep317

https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Submitted: 09 March 2021, Published Online: 13 July 2021

OPEN ACCESS 3185 Views 1631 Downloads

Download Full Text (PDF)

Abstract

Introduction: To meet the ambition of the UK becoming the global leader in health technology, the future workforce needs to have a developed digital literacy. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the move to online learning has also increased the requirement for a reinvention of traditional teaching methodologies (Sá & Serpa, 2020).
Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using a mix of Boolean search terms in twelve education and health journal databases to discover the extent of current international research of digital literacy in health programmes. Papers were selected for their specificity to digital literacy in health education pre-registration professional programmes.
Results: The initial search included 5359 papers, 3925 after duplicates removed, 134 remained after title review which were then input into Covidence for full reading, finally 47 papers being included for thematic analysis. This thematic analysis identified a number of key themes within these papers: digital literacy of the educator, digital literate workforce, technical skills limit adoption, information literacy, a curriculum requirement in education, institutional infrastructure or personal access, preparedness for entering academia, concerns over the use of digital skills, personalised digital literacy experience, increased communication skills with digital literacies, competency frameworks, COVID-19 and social media in education.
Conclusion: This research identifies areas of good practice and areas that need to be considered in higher education programmes and by academics to ensure the digital literacy of the future healthcare workforce.

Keywords: health education, digital literacy, digital skills, technology enhanced teaching, health care, higher education

References

Aggarwal, R., & Pandey, R. (2004). Information technology and medical education in India. The National Medical Journal of India, 17(1), 5-7.
Alex, M. (2012). Teaching and learning: Pedagogy, curriculum and culture, Second edition. In Teaching and learning: Pedagogy, curriculum and culture (2nd Ed.). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203134061
Alexander, B., Adams Becker, S., & Cummins, M. (2016). Digital Literacy: An NMC Horizon Project Strategic Brief. Volume 3.3. In New Media Consortium.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
Barr, N. C., Lord, B., Flanagan, B., & Carter, R. (2020). Developing a framework to improve information and digital literacy in a bachelor of paramedic science entry-to-practice program. College & Research Libraries, 81(6), 945-980. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.81.6.945
Beall, B. S. (1983). Computer literacy for health educators. Health Education, 14(6), 19-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00970050.1983.10628764
Bembridge, E., Levett-Jones, T., & Jeong, S. Y.-S. (2010). The preparation of technologically literate graduates for professional practice. Contemporary Nurse, 35(1), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.2010.35.1.018
Buabbas, A. J., Al-Shawaf, H. M. H., & Almajran, A. A. (2016). Health sciences students’ self-assessment of information and communication technology skills and attitude toward e-Learning. JMIR Medical Education, 2(1), e9. https://doi.org/10.2196/mededu.5606
Cabero-Almenara, J., Barroso-Osuna, J., Gutiérrez-Castillo, J. J., & Palacios-Rodríguez, A. (2021). The teaching digital competence of health sciences teachers. A study at Andalusian Universities (Spain). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052552
Carolan, C., Davies, C. L., Crookes, P., McGhee, S., & Roxburgh, M. (2020). COVID 19: Disruptive impacts and transformative opportunities in undergraduate nurse education. Nurse Education in Practice, 46, 102807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102807
Cole, D., Rengasamy, E., Batchelor, S., Pope, C., Riley, S., & Cunningham, A. M. (2017). Using social media to support small group learning. BMC Medical Education, 17(1), 201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-017-1060-7
College of Paramedics. (2017). Paramedics Curriculum Guidance (3rd Ed.). College of Paramedics.
Craig, A., & Corrall, S. (2007). Making a difference? Measuring the impact of an information literacy programme for pre-registration nursing students in the UK. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 24(2), 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2007.00688.x
DHSC. (2018). The future of healthcare: our vision for digital, data and technology in health and care - GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-future-of-healthcare-our-vision-for-digital-data-and-technology-in-health-and-care/the-future-of-healthcare-our-vision-for-digital-data-and-technology-in-health-and-care
Elf, M., Ossiannilsson, E., Neljesjö, M., & Jansson, M. (2015). Implementation of open educational resources in a nursing programme: experiences and reflections. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 30(3), 252-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2015.1127140
EU Science Hub. (2019). DigiComp (The digital competence framework for citizens). https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/digcomp/digital-competence-framework
Evangelinos, G. (2018). Digital competence in health education (DCiHE): A transferrable framework for curriculum development.
Evangelinos, G., & Holley, D. (2014). A qualitative exploration of the EU digital competence (DIGCOMP) framework: A case study within healthcare education. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST, 138, 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13293-8_11
Gao, F., Luo, T., & Zhang, K. (2012). Tweeting for learning: A critical analysis of research on microblogging in education published in 2008-2011. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43(5), 783-801. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2012.01357.x
Gilster, P. (1998). Digital Literacy (1st ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GMC. (2017). Generic professional capabilities framework guidance on implementation for colleges and faculties. www.shapeoftraining.co.uk/
Goh, P.-S., & Sandars, J. (2019). Increasing tensions in the ubiquitous use of technology for medical education. Medical Teacher, 41(6), 716-718. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2018.1540773
Gray, A. C., Diezel, H., & Steel, A. (2019). The use of learning technologies in complementary medicine education: Results of a student technology survey. Advances in Integrative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2019.04.001
Hagdrup, N. A., Edwards, M., Carter, Y. H., Falshaw, M., Gray, R. W., & Sheldon, M. G. (1999). Why? What? and How? IT provision for medical students in general practice. Medical Education, 33(7), 537-541. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.1999.00350.x
Hart, T., Bird, D., & Farmer, R. (2019). Using blackboard collaborate, a digital web conference tool, to support nursing students placement learning: A pilot study exploring its impact. Nurse Education in Practice, 38, 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2019.05.009
Hautz, S. C., Hoffmann, M., Exadaktylos, A. K., Hautz, W. E., & Sauter, T. C. (2020). Digital competencies in medical education in Switzerland: an overview of the current situation. GMS Journal for Medical Education, 37(6), Doc62. https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001355
Health and Care Professions Council. (2014). Standards of proficiency Paramedics.
HEE. (2018). A Health and Care Digital Capabilities Framework A Health and Care Digital Capability Framework.
HEE, & RCN. (2017). Digital literacy | Health Education England. https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/digital-literacy
Holt, K. A., Overgaard, D., Engel, L. V., & Kayser, L. (2020). Health literacy, digital literacy and eHealth literacy in Danish nursing students at entry and graduate level: A cross sectional study. BMC Nursing, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00418-w
Hurst, E. J. (2014). Educational Technologies in Health Sciences Libraries: Teaching Technology Skills. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 33(1), 102-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2013.866494
Jacobs, R. J., Iqbal, H., Rana, A. M., Rana, Z., & Kane, M. N. (2017). Predictors of Osteopathic Medical Students’ Readiness to Use Health Information Technology. The Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association, 117(12), 773-781. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2017.149
Keller, J. M. (1987). The systematic process of motivational design. Performance & Instruction, 26(9-10), 1-8.
Kennedy, S., & Yaldren, J. (2017). A look at digital literacy in health and social care. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 12(9), 428-432. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjca.2017.12.9.428
Kleinert, J. O., & Stewart, S. R. (2007). The need for technical literacy in doctoral education: A preliminary survey. Journal of Allied Health, 36(2), 88-100.
Koschmann, T. (1995). Medical education and computer literacy: learning about, through, and with computers. Academic Medicine: Journal Of The Association Of American Medical Colleges, 70(9), 818-821. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-199509000-00018
Lim, T. A., Wong, W. H., & Lim, K. Y. (2005). Perceived skill and utilisation of information technology in medical education among final year medical students, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The Medical Journal Of Malaysia, 60(4), 432-440.
Link, T. M., & Marz, R. (2006). Computer literacy and attitudes towards e-learning among first year medical students. BMC Medical Education, 6, 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-6-34
López Peláez, A., Erro-Garcés, A., & Gómez-Ciriano, E. J. (2020). Young people, social workers and social work education: the role of digital skills. Social Work Education, 39(6), 825-842. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2020.1795110
Mendeley. (2008). Mendeley Reference Manager (1.19.5). Elsevier. https://www.mendeley.com/
Mesko, B., Győrffy, Z., & Kollár, J. (2015). Digital Literacy in the Medical Curriculum: A Course With Social Media Tools and Gamification. JMIR Medical Education, 1(2), e6-e6. https://doi.org/10.2196/mededu.4411
Nazeha, N., Pavagadhi, D., Kyaw, B. M., Car, J., Jimenez, G., & Car, L. T. (2020). A Digitally Competent Health Workforce: Scoping Review of Educational Frameworks. In Journal of Medical Internet Research (Vol. 22, Issue 11). JMIR Publications Inc. https://doi.org/10.2196/22706
NHS. (2019). The NHS Long Term Plan. www.longtermplan.nhs.uk
NMC. (2018). Future nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses. www.nmc.org.uk
O’Doherty, D., Lougheed, J., Hannigan, A., Last, J., Dromey, M., O’Tuathaigh, C., & McGrath, D. (2019). Internet skills of medical faculty and students: Is there a difference? BMC Medical Education, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1475-4
O’Doherty, D., Dromey, M., Lougheed, J., Hannigan, A., Last, J., & McGrath, D. (2018). Barriers and solutions to online learning in medical education - an integrative review. BMC Medical Education, 18(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1240-0
Oberprieler, G., Masters, K., & Gibbs, T. (2005). Information technology and information literacy for first year health sciences students in South Africa: matching early and professional needs. Medical Teacher, 27(7), 595-598. https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590500062723
Pintz, C., & Posey, L. (2013). Preparing students for graduate study: An eLearning approach. Nurse Education Today, 33(7), 734-738. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2012.11.020
Popoiu, M. C., Grosseck, G., & Holotescu, C. (2012). What do we know about the use of social media in medical education? Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 2262-2266. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.466
Purnell, M., Royal, B., & Warton, L. (2020). Supporting the development of information literacy skills and knowledge in undergraduate nursing students: An integrative review. Nurse Education Today, 95, 104585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104585
Ranasinghe, P., Wickramasinghe, S. A., Pieris, W. R., Karunathilake, I., & Constantine, G. R. (2012). Computer literacy among first year medical students in a developing country: a cross sectional study. BMC Research Notes, 5, 504. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-5-504
Risling, T. (2017). Educating the nurses of 2025: Technology trends of the next decade. Nurse Education in Practice, 22, 89-92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.12.007
Robertson, S., & Felicilda-Reynaldo, R. F. D. (2015). Evaluation of graduate nursing students’ information literacy self-efficacy and applied skills. Journal of Nursing Education, 54, S26-S30. http://10.0.15.88/01484834-20150218-03
Ruggeri, K., Farrington, C., & Brayne, C. (2013). A global model for effective use and evaluation of e-learning in health. Telemedicine Journal And E-Health: The Official Journal of the American Telemedicine Association, 19(4), 312-321. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2012.0175
Stockdale, J., Hughes, C., Stronge, S., & Birch, M. (2019). Motivating midwifery students to digitalise their enquiry-based learning experiences: An evaluative case study. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 60, 59-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2018.11.006
Tarrant, B. (2018). Real and relevant: using web 2.0 social media technology to deepen and generalise learning in the health sciences and bridge the theory-practice gap. Physical Therapy Reviews, 23(1), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2018.1447258
Terry, J., Davies, A., Williams, C., Tait, S., & Condon, L. (2019). Improving the digital literacy competence of nursing and midwifery students: A qualitative study of the experiences of NICE student champions. Nurse Education in Practice, 34, 192-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2018.11.016
Thorell, M., Fridorff-Jens, P. K., Lassen, P., Lange, T., & Kayser, L. (2015). Transforming students into digital academics: A challenge at both the individual and the institutional level Approaches to teaching and learning. BMC Medical Education, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-015-0330-5
Topol, E. (2019). The Topol Review: Preparing the healthcare workford to deliver the digital future. https://topol.hee.nhs.uk/
Veritas Health Innovation. (n.d.). Covidence Systematic Review Software.
Wachter, R. M. (2016). Making IT Work: Harnessing the Power of Health Information Technology to Improve Care in England.
Woreta, S. A., Kebede, Y., & Zegeye, D. T. (2013). Knowledge and utilization of information communication technology (ICT) among health science students at the University of Gondar, North Western Ethiopia. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 13, 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-13-31
Zupanic, M., Rebacz, P., & Ehlers, J. P. (2019). Media use among students from different health curricula: Survey study. JMIR Medical Education, 5(2), e12809. https://doi.org/10.2196/12809

Citation

Matthews, B. (2021). Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?. Contemporary Educational Technology, 13(4), ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Matthews, B. (2021). Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?. Contemporary Educational Technology, 13(4), ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Matthews B. Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?. CONT ED TECHNOLOGY. 2021;13(4), ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Matthews, Barry. "Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?". Contemporary Educational Technology 2021 13 no. 4 (2021): ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Matthews, Barry "Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?". Contemporary Educational Technology, vol. 13, no. 4, 2021, ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072

Matthews B. Digital Literacy in UK Health Education: What Can Be Learnt from International Research?. CONT ED TECHNOLOGY. 2021;13(4):ep317. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11072