Industry 4.0
Vol. 11 (2026), Issue 3, pg(s) 146-149

SOCIETY & ”INDUSTRY 4.0”

Digital Competencies of Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare Organizations: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Literature Review

  • 1 University of Economics Bratislava, Slovakia

Abstract

The digital transformation of healthcare systems is significantly changing the way healthcare organizations operate and healthcare is delivered. The rapid development of digital technologies has increased the demand for digital competencies among healthcare professionals and managers. These competencies are essential for the effective implementation and use of digital technologies in healthcare. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the key digital competencies required in healthcare organizations in the context of digital transformation. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology to identify relevant scientific publications focused on digital competencies in healthcare. The analysis focuses on the digital skills and competencies of healthcare professionals and managers. The findings highlight the importance of digital literacy, data management, information security, and continuous professional development. The study contributes to an understanding of how healthcare organizations can better prepare their employees for digital transformation.

Keywords

References

  1. Byungura, J. C., Nyiringango, G., Fors, U., Forsberg, E., & Tumusiime, D. K. (2022). Online learning for continuous professional development of healthcare workers: An exploratory study on perceptions of healthcare managers in Rwanda. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 851. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03938-y
  2. Erfani, G., McCREADY, J., Gibson, B., Nichol, B., Unsworth, J., Jarva, E., Mikkonen, K., & Tomietto, M. (2025). Factors influencing digital health competence among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study. Applied Nursing Research, 82, 151922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2025.151922
  3. Esperança, M., Ferreira, J. C., & Martins, A. L. (2026). The imperative of digital competence in healthcare professionals: Comparison between the North and South of Europe. BMC Health Services Research, 26(1), 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-026-14000-8
  4. Fernández-Luque, A. M., & Ramirez-Montoya, M.-S. (2024). Health Professionals’ Competencies in the Framework of Complexity: Digital Training Model for Education 4.0. Revista Española de Documentación Científica, 47(2), e383–e383. https://doi.org/10.3989/redc.2024.2.1470
  5. Ferreira, J. C., Elvas, L. B., Correia, R., & Mascarenhas, M. (2025). Empowering Health Professionals with Digital Skills to Improve Patient Care and Daily Workflows. Healthcare, 13(3), 329. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030329
  6. Guillari, A., Sansone, V., Giordano, V., Catone, M., & Rea, T. (2024). Assessing digital health knowledge, attitudes and practices among nurses in Naples: A survey study protocol. BMJ Open, 14(6), e081721. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081721
  7. Hailu, S., Negash, B., Kassaye, D., Ahmed, N., Yeshitila, M., & Mezmur, H. (2026). Health Professionals’ Readiness and Its Associated Factors to Implement Telemedicine System at Public Hospitals in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia, 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study. Health Science Reports, 9(3), e71960. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71960
  8. Hengst, T. M., Lechner, L., Boumans, C., & Bolman, C. A. W. (2026). Digital literacy, self-efficacy, and desired support among healthcare professionals, patients, and informal caregivers: A cross-sectional study. Patient Education and Counseling, 142, 109310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2025.109310
  9. Karvouniari, A., Karabetsos, D., Constantin, C., Kyrarini, V. A., Malliarou, M., Tzenetidis, V., & Melas, C. (2025). Investigating Digital Skills of Healthcare Professionals in Greek Military and Civil Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. RJMM. https://doi.org/10.55453/rjmm.2025.128.6.10
  10. Kasaye, M. D., Kebede, N., Kalayou, M. H., Kebede, S. D., & Molla, A. (2024). Digital health literacy and associated factors among health professionals during the outbreak of corona virus pandemic in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DIGITAL HEALTH, 10, 20552076241271799. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241271799
  11. Kissi, J., Quansah, D. K. K., Nutakor, J. A., Dankyi, A. B., Adu-Gyamfi, Y., Kissi, J., Quansah, D. K. K., Nutakor, J. A., Dankyi, A. B., & Adu-Gyamfi, Y. (2022). Telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic era: A systematic review. AIMS Medical Science, 9(1), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.3934/medsci.2022008
  12. Kulju, E., Jarva, E., Oikarinen, A., Hammarén, M., Kanste, O., & Mikkonen, K. (2024). Educational interventions and their effects on healthcare professionals’ digital competence development: A systematic review. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 185, 105396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105396
  13. Lee, G., Caton, E., & Knight, A. (2023). Evaluating digital competencies for allied health professionals in the United Kingdom. DIGITAL HEALTH, 9, 20552076231176658. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231176658
  14. McDevitt, S., Kingman, M., Groves, L. M., Rendon, G. G., Han, M., Benninger, C., Georgi, S., Stone, M., Bridge, D., Perry, R., Enstone, A., Perrett, L., Smith, H., Doad, G., & Elwing, J. M. (2025). The Role of Telehealth in PAH Management: Benefits, Barriers, and Solutions. Pulmonary Circulation, 15(2), e70079. https://doi.org/10.1002/pul2.70079
  15. Mikkonen, K., Tomietto, M., Lee, J. J., Ye, F., Mandysova, P., Pekara, J., Kommusaar, J., Kangasniemi, M., Liao, X., Cicolini, G., Simonetti, V., Unsworth, J., Vizcaya-Moreno, M. F., Domingo-Pozo, M., Liu, M. F., Yamakawa, M., Utsumi, M., Domeisen Benedetti, F., Fringer, A., … Jarva, E. (2026). Digital health competence among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional cluster analysis across 19 countries and regions. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 176, 105348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105348
  16. Navarro-Martínez, O., Igual-García, J., & Traver-Salcedo, V. (2023). Bridging the educational gap in terms of digital competences between healthcare institutions’ demands and professionals’ needs. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01284-y
  17. Oudbier, S. J., Souget-Ruff, S. P., Chen, B. S. J., Ziesemer, K. A., Meij, H. J., & Smets, E. M. A. (2024). Implementation barriers and facilitators of remote monitoring, remote consultation and digital care platforms through the eyes of healthcare professionals: A review of reviews. BMJ Open, 14(6), e075833. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075833
  18. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
  19. Picón-Jaimes, Y. A. (2024). Innovation and Digital Transformation in Health Education: Opportunities to Drive Technological Development in the Training of Future Professionals. Inge CuC, 20(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.17981/ingecuc.20.2.2024.10
  20. Robertson, S. T., Hoffman, J., Sullivan, C., Donovan, R., & Woods, L. (2026). Measuring digital health competence among healthcare professionals: A rapid review of assessment tools. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 214, 106434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2026.106434
  21. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2024). Digital health. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/digital-health.html
  22. Eurostat. (2025). Individuals’ level of digital skills. European Commission. https://doi.org/10.2908/ISOC_SK_DSKL_I21

Article full text

Download PDF