Explore
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.
The Explore Pathway
Step 1 - Introducing Digital Capabilities
| Watch |
To start exploring what digital capabilities are, watch this short video (2m 8s): |
| 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?
|
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):
|
| Questions |
Reflecting on what you have read about the priority you chose, consider the following questions:
|
Step 4 - The Cloud Explained (New)
| Reflect |
| Before we start this step, take a minute to reflect on what you already know about the Cloud, not just the term, but what it really means in practice. What questions do you have and what do you want to know more about? |
| Listen |
Many of us rely on the Cloud to back up important files without fully understanding what it is or how it works. This short podcast episode (13m52s) demystifies the concept of cloud computing and explores the ways in which the Cloud is generally used across our everyday lives: |
| Task |
| Consider whether the podcast has answered the questions you had about the Cloud. If not, take a few minutes to explore online to find and research the answers you’re still curious about and note anything new or surprising you discover. |
Step 5 - Understanding Digital Exclusion
| Question |
| What does ‘Digital Exclusion’ mean to you personally. |
| Read |
Each year, the ‘Good Things Foundation’ gathers new facts and statistics to highlight the reality of digital exclusion in the UK and publishes these as an infographic. The 2025 infographic can be accessed using the link below. Download the PDF (using the Learn about the state of our digital nation link on the right of the page) and have a read and look through the information provided:
Link: Digital Nation | The UK's Digital Divide | Good Things Foundation |
| Questions |
To reflect on what you have read in the infographic, think about the following:
|
What next?
You have now completed the Explore pathway.
Pathway Update Notifications
You can access this Pathways Update Notifications Form to register to receive email notifications when pathway content is updated or new resources are added.
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.
