As the world races towards an increasingly digital future, a stark reality continues to overshadow the promises of technological progress in healthcare: the digital divide. The gap between those who have access to and can effectively use digital health resources and those who cannot remains a formidable barrier to achieving equitable health outcomes. In a groundbreaking study published in “Global Health Research and Policy,” researchers E. Neter, M.J. Western, R. Cooper, and colleagues tackle this critical issue, furnishing a roadmap to train healthcare professionals for digitally inclusive healthcare systems. This study signals a pivotal shift in how healthcare is envisioned in the digital era.
The digital divide in healthcare isn’t merely a challenge of technology availability but one deeply intertwined with socioeconomic and educational disparities. Patients who lack access to digital devices or the internet, or those who struggle with digital literacy, find themselves marginalized in a health system increasingly reliant on digital tools. This marginalization can lead to poorer health outcomes, exacerbating existing inequities. The authors argue that addressing these disparities requires equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to deliver care that is inclusive, respectful, and adaptable to diverse patient needs in a digital environment.
At the heart of this transformation is the notion of ‘digitally inclusive healthcare systems’ — environments where digital tools empower all patients, regardless of their background. Training healthcare professionals to embrace this inclusivity begins with an educational overhaul. Current healthcare curricula often lack comprehensive training on digital health technologies and the sociocultural dynamics influencing their adoption. The research highlights the urgency of integrating these components across all levels of healthcare education, fostering professionals capable of bridging the digital divide in practice.
One striking revelation from the study emphasizes that technological competence alone is insufficient. Healthcare professionals must develop cultural and communicative competence to understand the unique challenges faced by digitally underserved populations. This includes recognizing barriers such as language differences, mistrust of digital platforms, and concerns about privacy and data security. Training programs that incorporate these elements prepare providers not only to use digital tools but also to advocate effectively for patients’ digital inclusion.
The authors present a multifaceted framework for training that encompasses hands-on technical skills, patient-centered communication strategies, and ethical considerations around digital healthcare. This comprehensive approach ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped to manage the ethical dilemmas which emerge at the intersection of technology and healthcare delivery, such as informed consent in telehealth or equitable access to digital diagnostics. By weaving ethics into the fabric of digital health training, the framework promotes a balanced and patient-first approach.
Importantly, the study draws attention to the role of institutional support in fostering a digitally inclusive environment. Training healthcare professionals is a necessary but not sufficient step; healthcare organizations must commit to policies and infrastructures that facilitate the use of digital tools equitably. This includes investing in technologies that cater to diverse patient populations, providing ongoing professional development, and embedding digital equity goals into organizational missions. The research underscores that such institutional alignment amplifies the impact of training initiatives.
The challenge of bridging the digital divide also extends to the development of digital health technologies themselves. The authors advocate for co-creation approaches, where healthcare professionals and patients collaboratively design digital tools that are accessible and relevant. Such participatory design processes reduce the risk of technologies that inadvertently widen disparities and ensure that digital health solutions resonate with the lived experiences of those they aim to serve.
Quantitative and qualitative data from pilot training programs featured in the study reveal promising outcomes. Healthcare professionals who underwent digitally inclusive training showed increased confidence and competence in utilizing digital tools and demonstrated a greater sensitivity to patients’ digital barriers. Moreover, patients reported feeling more supported and engaged, highlighting the transformative potential of such training on patient-provider relationships.
Telehealth, a prime example of digital healthcare expansion, figures prominently in the study’s analysis. While telehealth offers opportunities to extend care to remote or underserved communities, it also risks alienating those without digital access or literacy. The research emphasizes the critical role of healthcare professionals in mediating this risk. Training that equips providers to assess patients’ digital readiness and tailor telehealth interventions accordingly is essential to avoid exacerbating disparities.
The study also explores the impact of policy landscapes on digital inclusion in healthcare. National and regional policies that prioritize digital equity, fund training programs, and incentivize inclusive technology design lay the groundwork for broader systemic change. Healthcare professionals educated within these supportive policy frameworks are better positioned to champion and sustain digital inclusion efforts at the front lines.
Beyond formal education, the research highlights the value of continuous learning for healthcare professionals as digital health tools evolve rapidly. Lifelong learning models incorporating regular updates, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration enable providers to remain agile and responsive. This adaptability is vital to maintain relevance and effectiveness in digitally inclusive healthcare delivery.
Furthermore, the authors recognize the importance of measuring the success of digital inclusion training. They propose metrics that assess healthcare professionals’ attitudes, digital skills, and patient engagement outcomes. Such evaluation frameworks not only validate training approaches but also identify areas for improvement, ensuring that programs evolve to meet emerging challenges and opportunities in digital healthcare.
Digital inclusion in healthcare is not a solitary endeavor but part of a broader societal commitment to equity and justice. The study situates healthcare professionals as pivotal agents in this mission, empowered through education to dismantle the digital barriers that impede health access and quality. Their role transcends clinical interactions, positioning them as advocates and innovators within digitally inclusive health ecosystems.
In the ever-evolving landscape of global health, digital inclusivity emerges as both an ethical imperative and a practical necessity. The work of Neter, Western, Cooper, and colleagues charts a compelling path forward, illuminating how strategic training of healthcare professionals can transform healthcare delivery to be truly inclusive in the digital age. Their research underscores that bridging the digital divide is not merely about technology adoption but about reimagining healthcare with equity at its core.
As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, this study offers a clarion call. The future of health hinges on preparing those who deliver care to embrace and enact digital inclusivity, ensuring that technological advancement translates into better health for all, not just the digitally privileged. It is a call to action that cannot be ignored.
Subject of Research:
Training healthcare professionals to bridge the digital divide and foster digitally inclusive healthcare systems.
Article Title:
Towards bridging the digital divide: training healthcare professionals for digitally inclusive healthcare systems.
Article References:
Neter, E., Western, M.J., Cooper, R. et al. Towards bridging the digital divide: training healthcare professionals for digitally inclusive healthcare systems. glob health res policy 10, 31 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-025-00433-x
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