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): 
 
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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

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 – Trusting Digital
Question 
Some of us might be nervous about using new digital tools. Think about whether you have any concerns about using digital tools in the workplace. How do your concerns compare with those of your colleagues and the people you support in your role?
Watch 

Watch this short video (6m 8s) which covers some of the common questions people might have about trusting digital. The video uses the example of the NHS Inform website to demonstrate how queries can be addressed, but it may be helpful to think about a digital tool within your own service or role as you watch:

 
Photograph of a woman sitting at a laptop
Task

What questions do you have about using technology? What support do you need, and from whom, to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your use of digital tools?

Now think about any concerns or queries you hear from your colleagues or the people you support. What do you need to help address their concerns?

Step 5 - Introducing Digital Inclusion (NEW)
Questions
What do you think is meant by the term 'digital inclusion'?
Read

Read through the description of digital inclusion on the webpage linked below, then click on the link to view Digital Inequality: The Key Stats:

Link: What is Digital Inclusion?

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Questions

Having looked through the key statistics relating to digital inequality in the UK, consider the following:

  • What kind of challenges might those who are digitally excluded face when trying to access health and social care services? Think about any examples of this you may have encountered, both personally and professionally.
  • What can organisations do to ensure those accessing services are digitally included?
  • Does your organisation or service already take measures to support this approach?
What next?

You have now completed the Explore pathway. 

 

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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.