BACKGROUND
As the aged care sector undergoes digital transformation, greater attention is needed to development of digital health capability in its workforce. There are many gaps in our understanding of the current and future impacts of technology on those who perform paid and unpaid aged care work.
OBJECTIVE
Research is needed to understand how to make optimal use of both digital resources and human resources for better aged care.
METHODS
Reflections on a workshop held during an international conference identified shared concepts and concerns to shape further research into workforce capability.
RESULTS
Digital technologies and digital data can increase quality of aged care in a system that operates through partnerships among service providers, service users and community members. To realise this potential, digital health learning and development is needed in both the paid and unpaid workforce.
CONCLUSIONS
As digital dimensions of aged care services expand, the sector needs clearer direction to implement approaches to workforce learning and development. These must be appropriate to support the safe and ethical performance of care work, and to increase the satisfaction of those who care and those for whom they care.