Using digital technologies by medical professionals

Abstract

Creation of digital space in healthcare requires linking technical changes with raising trust in information and communication technologies (ICT) and development of appropriate skills of medical workers. Digital skills are considered as an important element of the general qualification of a medical professional. The paper examines to what extent doctors and nurses use ICT in their work, whether they have sufficient competencies and what are the scope and types of training in this field of knowledge. The sources of empirical materials are databases from two surveys conducted by Rosstat in 2020, namely, Comprehensive observation of the living conditions of the population and the second round of the Statistical Observation on the participation of the population in continuing education. It turned out that most doctors used computer and other digital equipment, but a significant part of nurses (47%) did not use them. In comparison with other specialists, doctors and nurses have a very limited remote format of work that is caused by both the field specifics and lack of opportunities. About 30% of doctors and nurses did not have enough digital competencies that reduced their job satisfaction. With basic computer literacy and the Internet skills, the lack of knowledge and skills concerned the field of medical information systems and specific digital tools. Medical professionals made up for the lack of skills mainly through self-education, rather than by specialized training. For successful implementation of a large-scale state program of digitalization in healthcare, it is necessary to create a flexible system of professional development in the field of ICT, included in the general system of continuing medical education.