Digital competencies as a pillar of training
According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, health informatics specialists from 79 countries proposed a set of competencies that healthcare professionals should master: digital health literacy, use of electronic health records, data analytics and the ability to evaluate technology effectiveness in clinical practice (Rasmussen et al., 2022).
In other words, beyond diagnoses and therapeutic decisions, the modern healthcare professional needs to understand technology as a decision-support tool.
In Brazil, academic literature reinforces that professional training must include digital competencies as part of continuing education. As reviewed in Humanidades & Inovação, "the incorporation of digital technologies in the educational process of healthcare professionals is essential for updated and effective clinical practice" (Silva & Oliveira, 2023).
Technology adoption improves performance and reduces workload
The introduction of digital health technologies is not merely conceptual — there is concrete evidence in clinical practice. A study based on the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) model concluded that "the adoption of digital health technologies contributes significantly to improving professional performance and reducing clinical workload," especially when there is organizational alignment and an environment conducive to change (Zhu et al., 2021).
This highlights that technology alone is not enough: organizational structure is needed to support and embed it in the clinical workflow.
Competency and technology: two sides of the same coin
The use of artificial intelligence in clinical practice is another example of advancement with direct impact. In a study published by The Guardian in 2025, approximately 30% of general practitioners in the United Kingdom reported using AI in consultations — primarily to summarize information and support clinical reasoning — though many highlighted the lack of formal training as a barrier to effective adoption.
This illustrates a crucial point: technology must be accompanied by professional training; otherwise its clinical potential remains underutilized.
Psychometric research has also validated instruments to measure digital competency in healthcare, reinforcing that this skill is both essential and measurable. As reported in Health Informatics Journal, "digital competency should be included as an essential construct in the training of healthcare professionals" (Smith et al., 2023).
Implications for training and professional practice
The training of healthcare professionals must adapt on two fronts:
Formal education: undergraduate curricula and medical residency programs should include modules covering electronic health records, clinical data analysis, health technology ethics and health information systems competencies.
Continuing education: practicing professionals need opportunities for upskilling. According to Reuters, companies and educational institutions are developing specific certification programs in AI applied to healthcare, because "there is a gap between technical knowledge and clinical practice that needs to be filled" (Reuters, 2025).
Conclusion
The new healthcare professional is not only a clinician — they are a data translator, a technology integrator and a well-grounded decision-maker.
Modern clinical competency combines solid medical reasoning, capacity to interpret data, critical use of technologies and an interdisciplinary approach to information.
As concluded by Rasmussen et al. (2022): "training in digital competencies is not optional — it is an imperative for safe and effective clinical practice."
Therefore, investing in digital training and culture is not just a trend. It is a requirement for anyone seeking to practice in healthcare meaningfully in the 21st century.