The role of digital technology in providing education, training, continuing professional development and support to the rural health workforce

Abstract

PurposeEducation, training and continuing professional development are amongst the evidence-based initiatives for attracting and retaining rural and remote health professionals. With rapidly increasing access to and use of digital technology worldwide, there are new opportunities to leverage training and support for those who are working in rural and remote areas. In this paper we determine the key elements associated with the utility of digital technologies to provide education, training, professional learning and support for rural health workforce outside the University and tertiary sector.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review of peer-reviewed literature from Australia, Canada, US and New Zealand was conducted in four bibliographic databases – Medline complete, CINAHL, Academic Search complete and Education Complete. Relevant studies published between January 2010 and September 2020 were identified. The Levac et al. (2010) enhanced methodology of the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework was used to analyse the literature.FindingsThe literature suggests there is mounting evidence demonstrating the potential for online platforms to address the challenges of rural health professional practice and the tyranny of distance. After analysing 22 publications, seven main themes were found – Knowledge and skills (n = 13), access (n = 10), information technology (n = 7), translation of knowledge into practice (n = 6), empowerment and confidence (n = 5), engagement (n = 5) and the need for support (n = 5). Ongoing evaluation will be critical to explore new opportunities for digital technology to demonstrate enhanced capability and retention of rural health professionals.Originality/valueTo date there has been limited examination of research that addresses the value of digital platforms on continuing professional development, education and support for rural health professionals outside the university and tertiary training sectors.

Persuasive Design Solutions for a Sustainable Workforce: Review of Persuasive Apps for Real-Time Capability Support for Rural Health Care Professionals

“…Other simple persuasive design techniques, such as limited ads, will increase system credibility support through increased surface credibility. Given that health workforce capability is determined by the interplay of a complex array of factors [ 2 ] (Ramsden et al, unpublished data, 2021), this may well be the first step toward building a futuristic, completely digitalized tool to improve the health workforce capability support tool.…”

“…A 2021 scoping review found that digital solutions can enhance the capability and retention of rural health professionals [ 2 ]. The authors concluded that online platforms or digital solutions can address many of the challenges experienced by rural health professionals, by improving knowledge and skills, access, translation of knowledge into practice, empowerment, confidence, engagement, and provision of support.…”

Persuasive Design Techniques and App Design Recommendations to Improve Health Workforce Capability in Rural Health Professionals: What Do Users Want and How Does an App Help?

“…Overall, the alignment between the needs of health professionals and persuasive design techniques to improve health workforce capability through optimizing the user experience means that we can support rural health professionals which may lead to greater retention [ 9 , 11 , 13 ]. The above findings are important as they confirm that these techniques can be used to develop a future prototype that may assist health professionals in improving or maintaining their health workforce capability which in turn may increase recruitment and retention in rural areas.…”

“…Before the role of technology in the clinical context was forced into the limelight due to COVID-19 [ 12 ], rural health professionals globally had long been using digital solutions [ 12 ] to bridge large geographical distances. Complementary to this, recent studies have demonstrated technology’s role in supporting the workforce capability of the rural health workforce [ 13 ]. Indeed, it has been suggested that employing technology solutions in the rural context can improve the capability and retention of rural health professionals [ 13 ].…”

“…Complementary to this, recent studies have demonstrated technology’s role in supporting the workforce capability of the rural health workforce [ 13 ]. Indeed, it has been suggested that employing technology solutions in the rural context can improve the capability and retention of rural health professionals [ 13 ]. What then are the appropriate solutions to improve health workforce capability?…”