Design, Implementation, and Analysis of an Assessment andAccreditation Model to Evaluate a Digital Competence Frameworkfor Health Professionals:Mixed Methods Study

Background: Although digital health is essential for improving health care, its adoption remains slow due to the lack of literacyin this area. Therefore, it is crucial for health professionals to acquire digital skills and for a digital competence assessment andaccreditation model to be implemented to make advances in this field. Objective: This study had two objectives: (1) to create a specific map of digital competences for health professionals and (2)to define and test a digital competence assessment and accreditation model for health professionals. Methods: We took an iterative mixed methods approach, which included a review of the gray literature and consultation withlocal experts. We used the arithmetic mean and SD in descriptive statistics, Pvalues in hypothesis testing and subgroup comparisons,the greatest lower bound in test diagnosis, and the discrimination index in study instrument analysis. Results: The assessment model designed in accordance with the competence content defined in the map of digital competencesand based on scenarios had excellent internal consistency overall (greatest lower bound=0.91). Although most study participants(110/122, 90.2%) reported an intermediate self-perceived digital competence level, we found that the vast majority would notattain a level-2 Accreditation of Competence in Information and Communication Technologies. Conclusions: Knowing the digital competence level of health professionals based on a defined competence framework shouldenable such professionals to be trained and updated to meet real needs in their specific professional contexts and, consequently,take full advantage of the potential of digital technologies. These results have informed the Health Plan for Catalonia 2021-2025,thus laying the foundations for creating and offering specific training to assess and certify the digital competence of such professionals