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 - Understanding your Digital and Data Capability
| Reflection |
Digital and data are embedded in everyday work across health and social care from how information is recorded and shared, to how care is delivered and improved. Taking time to understand your capabilities can support how you work day‑to‑day, inform your development, and help you progress within your role and career as digital and data ways of working continue to evolve. Are you clear on what digital and data capability areas you may need to develop? |
| Task |
Complete the Digital and Data Capability Self-Assessment Tool created by the Digitally Enabled Workforce team. This tool helps you understand your level of digital capability across key digital and data skills, identify areas for development, and access relevant learning. It is based on the Digital and Data Capability Framework, which outlines the skills needed across the health and social care workforce in Scotland. |
| What Next? |
Once you have completed the Self-Assessment Tool and received your recommended resources, consider the following:
Share your results with your team. Use the self‑assessment as a prompt to:
Digital and data capability grows fastest when insight becomes action and action becomes shared learning. |
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):
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| Questions |
Reflecting on what you have read about the priority you chose, consider the following questions:
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Step 4 - Accessing Health and Care Information Digitally
| Reflect |
Digital services are giving people greater access to information about their own health and care. Being able to view information such as medicines, allergies and vaccination history can help people feel more informed, prepare for appointments and take a more active role in decisions about their care. This also changes how information is shared between people and services, creating new opportunities for more informed and collaborative conversations. |
| Read |
Explore MyCare.scot, NHS Scotland's digital service for accessing personal health and care information. MyCare.scot brings key information together in one place, including medicines, allergies, vaccination history and CHI number, alongside access to health and wellbeing services. Link: MyCare.scot | NHS inform |
Step 5 - Supporting Care Beyond the Hospital Through Digital Technology (New)
| Reflection |
Digital technology is helping change where and how health and care services can be delivered. By supporting communication, information sharing and access to care, digital approaches can help professionals work together and enable more people to receive support in their own homes. |
| Explore |
Explore Deputy First Minister Visits Fife's Hospital @ Home Team, an article and short video from NHS Fife. The resource highlights how NHS Fife's Hospital @ Home service enables people to receive hospital-level care in their own homes, helping avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. It offers an opportunity to consider how digital technology and access to information could support professionals in delivering safe, coordinated care beyond traditional hospital settings. Link: Deputy First Minister Visits Fife's Hospital @ Home Team | NHS Fife |
| Task |
After exploring the resource, consider:
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What next?
You have now completed the Explore pathway.
Pathway Update Notifications
You can register to receive our monthly Digital Workforce Update. This will keep you informed when pathway content is updated or new resources are added. You’ll also receive details of events, news, opportunities and updates from our wider national resources and learning networks.
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.
