Explore

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The Explore pathway is for everyone working in health and social care, irrespective of role. This pathway introduces the fundamental concepts that underpin successful digital service delivery and transformative ways of working. 

Step 1 - Introducing Digital Capabilities
Watch 
To start exploring what digital capabilities are, watch this short video (2m 8s): 
 
Photograph of a small plant growing out of a laptop keyboard
Question
Why do you think digital capabilities are important in health and social care? 
 
If you’re not sure, watch the video again and notice the digital benefits mentioned.
Step 2 - Developing Digital Capabilities
Task 
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) have created the Digital and Data Capability Framework to support the development of digital capabilities for everyone working in health and social care in Scotland. The framework identifies the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are essential for you to thrive in your role.
 
Have you had the opportunity to work through the Digital and Data Capability Framework?
  • If not, you can access the framework using the link below and work through it to assess your current capability levels and plan your next steps.
  • If you have, what are your outcomes? What are you doing to develop your capabilities?

Link: Digital and Data Capability Framework

Digital and Data Capability Framework
Step 3 - National Approach

It is important that everyone across Scotland has a shared vision for digital in health and social care. This shared vision forms what we call the national approach. 

Read 
The Scottish Government and COSLA have developed a digital strategy to set out the national approach. Use the link below to open the strategy and read pages 5 - 9 (5-6 minute read) which cover the background, vision, aims and priorities:
 
 
Now you have read this, select one of the six priorities on page 9. We suggest choosing the one that feels most relevant to your role, team and organisation. 
 
Scroll to the pages listed below to read more about the priority you have chosen (3-7 minute read):
  • Digital access – page 11-13
  • Digital services – page 14 - 17
  • Digital foundations – page 18 - 20
  • Digital skills and leadership – page 21 - 22
  • Digital futures – page 23 - 24
  • Data-driven services and insights – page 25 - 26
Questions 

Reflecting on what you have read about the priority you chose, consider the following questions: 

  • How do the themes and ideas from this priority relate to your work and your own organisation?
  • What do your team currently do to support this priority?
Strategy document front cover
Step 4 - Using technology to make a positive impact in care
Reflect
Take a moment to reflect on how digital technology is currently used in health and social care, and how it could support people’s wellbeing, independence and day-to-day care in different settings.
women holding an electronic pad talking to an elderly woman
Read

Read the following guide from the Care Inspectorate, focussing on pages 9 to 11, to explore what “good digital technology” can offer in different care contexts (independent living, care providers, care homes, care at home, housing support, children & young people’s services, nurseries/childminders, etc.). 

Link: Using technology to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing in care

Questions
  • What is one example of digital technology from the guide that you recognise or already use in your work?  

  • Reflecting on how digital technology is used in health and social care and from the examples in the guide, which digital approach do you feel has the greatest potential to benefit your team and organisation?

Step 5 - Using technology to support proactive care (New)
Reflection
Take a moment to reflect on how digital tools are helping shift health and social care toward earlier intervention and more proactive care. Enabling people to monitor their own health, stay connected with services, and manage their conditions from the comfort of their home. 
Read

Read the following article and discover how new monitoring technology is aiming to reduce hospital admissions for people with chronic heart failure.  

This short article shows how technology enabled monitoring can spot problems earlier, support quicker clinical decisions, and help prevent avoidable hospital stays. 

Link: NHS backs new tech to slash heart failure hospitalisations by a third

A woman and another woman with an tablet
Questions
  • Thinking about your own role or service, where do you already see opportunities for technology to support earlier action or more proactive care for the people you support? 

What next?

You have now completed the Explore pathway. 

 

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You can access this Pathways Update Notifications Form to register to receive email notifications when pathway content is updated or new resources are added. 

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Feedback

Use this Feedback Form to share any comments or questions you have about the pathway. You can also use this form if you spot that any of the links aren’t working, or the resources aren’t available.