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 - Preventing Falls Proactively
| Reflect |
| Think about the services you work in or interact with: how can digital tools be used to reduce risks? |
| Read |
Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospital admissions. Preventing them is often the best way to protect people’s independence and wellbeing. Read the following article “Preventing falls proactively: Dormy Care’s journey with Sensio RoomMate” from Digital Care Hub which explores how a care provider introduced digital monitoring technology to help staff detect potential falls earlier and respond more quickly. Link: Preventing falls proactively: Dormy Care's journey with Sensio RoomMate - Digital Care Hub |
| Questions |
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Step 5 - Exploring New Health Technologies (New)
| Reflection |
Emerging digital technologies are reshaping health and social care, helping us use data more effectively to enable prevention, early intervention, ongoing monitoring, informed decision‑making and personalised care. Pause and consider: how could new technologies or smarter use of data improve service user outcomes, experiences, or how you work day to day? |
| Read |
Listen to the BBC Tech Life episode ‘What’s new in health tech?’ exploring new developments in health technology from the CES Trade Show 2026 in Las Vegas, presented by Shiona McCallum. The episode highlights a range of emerging technologies and innovations designed to support healthcare, wellbeing and everyday life, including technologies that collect and use data to support monitoring, insight and more personalised care. It also explores wider questions around adoption, accessibility and the future role of technology in society. |
| Task |
Reflect on the technologies discussed in the episode and consider how technologies could influence your own area of health and social care. Identify and reflect:
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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.
