An educational approach that encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing among professionals from different healthcare disciplines, fostering a holistic understanding of healthcare delivery.
Published in Chapter:
Digital Health in the Context of Healthcare Workers' Education and Training: The Other Side of Health Curricula in Portugal
Carlos Alberto da Silva (University of Évora, Portugal),
Rui Pedro Pereira de Almeida (University of Algarve, Portugal), Francisca Carvalheira (University of Évora, Portugal), António Fernando Abrantes (University of Algarve, Portugal), Dulce Lourenço Miranda (Hospital Fernando Fonseca, Portugal), Bianca Vicente (University of Algarve, Portugal), Magda Ramos (University of Algarve, Portugal), and
Tatiana Mestre (University of Algarve, Portugal)
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 20
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1214-8.ch004
Abstract
Digital technologies are reshaping healthcare practices, influencing patient information-seeking behavior, and impacting ethical considerations. The emergence of eHealth, mHealth, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics hold promise for improving healthcare quality. However, in Portugal, digital health literacy is underexplored, particularly in healthcare education. This chapter scrutinizes curricula at higher education health schools, revealing that while health technologies are integrated, digital health is often confined to specific modules. Portuguese institutions must reconsider curricula to equip healthcare professionals with essential digital skills. The significance of this chapter lies in its critical analysis and recommendations for reform. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive integration of digital health in healthcare education, highlighting the gap in current curricula and advocating for a more comprehensive approach. Recommendations include implementing ongoing training to enhance digital health literacy.