The role of governance in the digital transformation of healthcare: Results of a survey in the WHO Europe Region.

Optimal governance is among the key facilitators of the digital transformation of health systems intended to improve access to healthcare, quality, safety, and efficiency, and to attain universal health coverage. This paper highlights the findings of a survey assessing the status of governance of digital health in the WHO European Region. The 2022 survey is a continuation of the 2015 WHO Global Survey on eHealth. The survey focused on national digital health governance, monitoring and evaluation of digital health interventions, and funding and investment in digital health and was conducted through April to October 2022. All 53 Member States of the WHO European Region participated in the survey. The results showed that 83% of the Member States reported having a national digital health strategy in place, and 79% of the Member States reported having a health information system strategy. Most of the priorities of the national digital health strategies were devoted to increasing the accessibility, quality, safety, and efficiency of the health systems, strengthening health information systems, and improving information sharing and interoperability of data. Measures to ensure equity in access to digital healthcare services were directed towards improving broadband connectivity, information and communication technology, digital literacy, and digital health promotion. Oversight for the implementation and operation of the national digital health strategies are mostly delegated to government agencies. The prime source of funding for digital health programs was public funding, though a combination of funding sources was also noted. This analysis revealed increasing adoption of national digital health strategies for access to healthcare and creation of digital health agencies and funding programs for digital health.

Digital Health Education: Determining Competences and Piloting Innovative Study Course.

Digital technology for health services plays a critical role in the delivery of health services. In order to move towards universal healthcare, improvement of patient outcomes and better health, one must make use of the advantages of Digital Health tools and recognition of the role of the health ICT worker. Therefore, it is necessary to have a workforce that is competent to use these tools. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of healthcare and information technology, the domain of Digital Health builds on a variety of disciplines termed biomedical and health informatics, and other allied fields. With the increasing need to have a knowledgeable, skilled and competent workforce, it is necessary to concentrate efforts towards the provision of education modules in Digital Health. While continuing medical education, certificate courses and other similar courses attempt to bridge the gap in the delivery of Digital Health education, it is also paramount to establish dedicated and standalone courses. Streamlining approaches to Digital Health Education across disciplinary, cultural and national boundaries, is key to address the challenges of firmly embedding Digital Health courses in the fabric of university education. In the effort to provide the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies (KSCs) to the current health ICT worker, the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, European Campus Rottal-Inn (DIT-ECRI) is in the process of piloting a virtual course in Global Digital Health. With the ability to provide core competencies in Digital heath, this virtual course is a step towards advancing Global Digital Health Education.