Canadian Researchers Call for Digital Health Education Overhaul

A group of Canadian researchers is advocating for a significant revamp of health professional education in response to the increasing integration of digital technologies in Canada’s healthcare system. Their findings, published in the journal JMIR Medical Education on September 12, 2025, highlight the urgent need for consistent, outcomes-based training focused on digital health and informatics competencies.

The article, titled “Shaping the Future of Digital Health Education in Canada: Prioritizing Competencies for Health Care Professionals Using the Quintuple Aim,” presents a framework aimed at aligning digital health training with five essential goals: enhancing patient experience, improving population health, reducing healthcare costs, boosting provider experience, and promoting health equity.

Currently, the authors argue that health education remains fragmented and inconsistent, leaving professionals ill-equipped to effectively utilize tools such as telehealth, electronic health records, and data analytics. To address these gaps, the proposed framework emphasizes the importance of core competencies, including digital literacy, privacy awareness, user-friendly technology integration, data-informed decision-making, and inclusive access.

Tracie Risling from the University of Calgary, one of the authors of the study, stresses the necessity of additional professional development in digital health. She states, “Additional professional development opportunities in digital health are essential to support scaled and sustainable change in Canada’s health systems that can truly create opportunities for better outcomes for all.”

In promoting a cohesive national standard, the article also advocates for localized adaptations, allowing educational institutions to tailor their programs based on specific regional health needs and available resources. This flexibility is vital in ensuring that training remains relevant and effective in the face of rapid technological advancements.

The authors further emphasize the need for collaboration among healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and technology developers. Such partnerships are crucial to ensuring that educational programs evolve alongside the changing landscape of digital health.

The research serves as a strong call to action, urging stakeholders in Canada’s health sector to adopt forward-thinking educational strategies. As the demand for digital health competencies grows, the time for cohesive and comprehensive training programs is now. The full article can be accessed at JMIR Medical Education.

This initiative is a crucial step towards preparing Canada’s healthcare workforce for the digital age, ensuring that professionals are equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.