Scoping review of intergenerational learning methods for developing digital competence and their outcomes

Abstract

Due to the rapid digitalization of healthcare, it is important to strengthen professionals’ digital competence, particularly to support older professionals to stay in work until retirement age. People of different ages have different digital competencies. Younger generations are ‘digital natives’ who have learned to use digital devices fluently from a young age, while older generations have had to learn to use them in adulthood. The increasing number of new technologies causes in some cases stress, especially for more older healthcare workers. Intergenerational learning methods for developing digital competence may offer a way to narrow digital competence gaps in healthcare. The aim of this scoping review was to identify current evidence regarding intergenerational learning methods for developing digital competence, and their outcomes. The results can be used to help develop methods for intergenerational digital competence development and improve healthcare professionals’ digital competence. A scoping review was conducted across four databases (Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest) without time limits. The search produced 2905 references, of which 23 studies are included in the review. Thematic analysis was used to analyze these studies’ results. The results showed that a key method for intergenerational digital competence development is reverse mentoring, where a less experienced person serves as a mentor to a more experienced one. Intergenerational digital competence development methods can be done one-on-one or in groups, in classes or on digital platforms. The outcomes of these methods illustrated that they promote mutual learning, increase the digital competence of older adults and the work life skills of young mentors, and narrow the gap between generations. Using such methods, it is possible to make better use of each generation’s expertise. Intergenerational learning could suggest ways of narrowing the digital gap and enhancing intergenerational communication. Healthcare could benefit from implementing intergenerational learning methods for developing digital competence, increasing the digital competence of healthcare professionals, and narrowing the gap between generations.

The management of digital competence sharing in health care: A qualitative study of managers' and professionals' views

“…There are limited studies on digital competence sharing methods in health care. Nevertheless, reverse mentoring and its different variations could be utilized in sharing competence between generations in health care (Hammarén et al., 2022).…”

“…Improved digital competence helps health care professionals perform their tasks more efficiently, better utilize digital tools and technologies and enhance the quality of care they provide to their patients (Brice & Almond, 2020). Management of digital competence sharing can promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development among health care professionals (Hammarén et al., 2022; Reinbeck & Fitzsimons, 2015) and thus enhance organizational performance. The utilization of digitalization and new technology would allow for the physical workload to be lightened (Kowalski et al., 2020), thus helping experienced professionals by enhancing the quality of their work life and improving their job satisfaction.…”

“…Particularly, reverse mentoring has been used to share digital competence between generations (Chaudhuri et al., 2021). Studies have mainly focused on the development of digital competence for the elderly, and there has been little study on how digital competence can be shared in the workplace or in health care organizations (Hammarén et al., 2022).…”

“…Knowledge sharing has often been the sharing of clinical and tacit knowledge from an older to a younger professional in health care (McDonald et al., 2010). However, in digital competence sharing, the role of competence sharing can be reversed, where the younger person takes the role of a mentor (Hammarén et al., 2022). There has been little study about how management can effectively promote and facilitate the sharing of digital competence.…”