Participant Insights
The success of digital transformation relies on people's ability to know when, why and how to use technology. However, this is about more than developing staff across the sector - it is also about how staff engage with people who use health and care services.
The PDA in Technology Enabled Care aims to equip Scotland's workforce with the knowledge and skills required to embed Technology Enabled Care into health and social care practice while supporting positive health and wellbeing outcomes for people.
Feedback tells us that as well as impacting learners skills development, the PDA qualification helps to connect and inspire the people they support, making a difference to people’s lives by empowering them to access the choices available.
Alumni Insights Research Report
To find out about the impact from cohort 1 to cohort 7 read the Alumni insights into the Professional Development Award in Technology Enabled Care, NHS Education for Scotland, June 2023 research report.
Let's hear from participants about their learning experience!
Participant insights
“… great to have the opportunity to undertake the PDA in TEC. It gave me a deeper understanding of Technology Enabled Care and helped me become much more knowledgeable about the subject. It was also great to have a qualification at the end and this certainly helped me in progressing with my career and achieving my goals. My tutor was also very supportive and I would definitely recommend the course.”
Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership
"As a Call Handler I feel any way I can improve in my role benefits service users and patients using the service, providing a better patient journey, and I have gained more confidence in communication skills. I would recommend the PDA in TEC to anyone thinking about it."
NHS 24
"…it made me challenge my own pre-conceptions of what is best for service users and reflect on what I am doing well and what I can improve upon. The support given by my tutor was first class."
Glasgow City Council Social Work
"I would recommend this qualification to colleagues as I think it is an important part of the future of social care delivery. It will help me introduce more technology and share information with colleagues about the ways technology can help people, and help with your own way of working”.
Community Lifestyles / Key Housing
“I feel that I now have a recognisable qualification that I can use to help me progress in my career. It makes me feel more confident to apply for TEC related jobs knowing that I have this on my CV”.
Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership
“… a great way of broadening your knowledge of technology enabled care and to become aware that it isn't just the use of equipment, it’s a way of being and thinking and can be a very positive experience. Learned so much and my tutors were brilliant”.
CVS Inverclyde
“With the direction that care is moving in having a qualification in Technology Enabled Care is really helpful. I think it is a skills gap in the sector and we are going to need more courses like this to upskill and be able to meet the challenges of an evolving digital environment”.
Eildon Housing Association
Find out more about participants and their journeys . . . .
Alumni Insight - Peter McAndrew
- Peter McAndrew - Alumni 1 ( Download, 155 KB)
Peter McAndrew
Aberdeen City HSCP
Project Manager Strategy and Transformation Digital
"The PDA increased my confidence and knowledge. I provide guidance, support and share my knowledge with colleagues. It also enabled me to widen my professional network."
Alumni Insight - Donna MacLean
- Donna MacLean - Alumni 2 ( Download, 207 KB)
Donna MacLean
NHS Western Isles
Programme Project Office
"Because I work in the IT support side of TEC and not out in the field with patients my take from this award was vast. I was not aware of many of the solutions and devices being used elsewhere, sometimes routinely."
Alumni Insight - Iona McMurdo
- Iona McMurdo - Alumni 3 ( Download, 475 KB)
Iona McMurdo
NHS Highland
Project Support Officer
"The PDA gave me the knowledge, skills and confidence to think out of the box. When things aren’t working, in the past it would be up to someone to fix it, now I volunteer to test, try and make suggestions of possible alternatives to clinicians and users."
Alumni Insight - Angela Kelly
- Angela Kelly - Alumni 4 ( Download, 347 KB)
Angela Kelly
Southpark Retirement Home
Senior Office Administrator
"The award has given me greater insight to what the possibilities are for our residents enjoy interactions with their families when using digital technology."
Alumni Insight - Will Martin
- Martin Will - Alumni Insight 5 ( Download, 379 KB)
Martin Will
East Dunbartonshire Council HSCP
Technology Enabled Care Supervisor
"The award is great and ideal for all levels of experience. I have been working within TEC for nearly 6 years and I took a great deal away from it. I have now suggested that my own team complete this award, two of which have now successfully applied."