Digital Competence Development for Hospital-At-Home Care - A Design Evaluation Study Among Healthcare Professionals and Students.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
- 2Department of Nursing, Health and Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health, Welfare and Organization, Østfold University of Applied Sciences, Halden, Norway.
- 3Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark.
- 4Department of Nursing and Nutrition, Faculty of Health Education and Technology, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- 5ReLife Centre for Mental Health and Recovery Across the Life Course, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid digitalization of healthcare and the increasing implementation of Hospital-at-Home models place new demands on healthcare professionals' digital competencies. The Nordic Digital Health Education (NorDigHE) program was developed to address these needs through a self-managed, digital and multimodal learning platform. The aim of this study was to evaluate the design of the NorDigHE program regarding usability, the use of simulations and learning games, and participants' perceptions of other selected learning tools, including podcasts, videos and quizzes.Methods
A quantitative, descriptive study design was applied, targeting level 1 in the Kirkpatrick framework. Data was collected using validated questionnaires assessing usability, educational podcasts, case-based videos, simulations and game-based learning experiences, and online quizzes. Participants included students and healthcare professionals from Denmark, Norway and Sweden who had completed at least two of the five course modules. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in line with level 1 in Kirkpatrick's framework for evaluation of education.Results
In total, 125 participants completed the surveys. Usability scores exceeded the established cut-off value, indicating acceptable to good usability. Podcasts and case-based videos were perceived as relevant and supportive of learning, with consistently positive item-level ratings. Simulations and learning games were evaluated as engaging and helpful for applying theory to real-life situations, although some participants reported being insufficiently challenged. Quizzes were primarily perceived as useful for reinforcing understanding and supporting achievement of learning objectives rather than for acquiring new information.Conclusion
The NorDigHE program was perceived as usable and pedagogically coherent digital learning by both students and healthcare professionals. The results support the use of a multimodal and partially gamified design approach in digital health education. Areas for further development include tailoring the level of challenge in simulations to heterogeneous learner groups. Overall, the results provide a foundation for the continued iterative development of the NorDigHE program.
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BibTeX
@article{fange2026digital,
title = {{Digital Competence Development for Hospital-At-Home Care - A Design Evaluation Study Among Healthcare Professionals and Students.}},
author = {Agneta Malmgren Fänge and Vigdis Abrahamsen Grøndahl and Helene Åvik Persson and Heidi Kristine Grønlien and Jeff Kirk Svane and Ulla Gars and Magnus C Persson},
journal = {Advances in medical education and practice},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/amep.s631263},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968963},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Digital Competence Development for Hospital-At-Home Care - A Design Evaluation Study Among Healthcare Professionals and Students.
AU - Agneta Malmgren Fänge
AU - Vigdis Abrahamsen Grøndahl
AU - Helene Åvik Persson
AU - Heidi Kristine Grønlien
AU - Jeff Kirk Svane
AU - Ulla Gars
AU - Magnus C Persson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Advances in medical education and practice
DO - 10.2147/amep.s631263
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968963
AB - Purpose The rapid digitalization of healthcare and the increasing implementation of Hospital-at-Home models place new demands on healthcare professionals' digital competencies. The Nordic Digital Health Education (NorDigHE) program was developed to address these needs through a self-managed, digital and multimodal learning platform. The aim of this study was to evaluate the design of the NorDigHE program regarding usability, the use of simulations and learning games, and participants' perceptions of other selected learning tools, including podcasts, videos and quizzes.Methods A quantitative, descriptive study design was applied, targeting level 1 in the Kirkpatrick framework. Data was collected using validated questionnaires assessing usability, educational podcasts, case-based videos, simulations and game-based learning experiences, and online quizzes. Participants included students and healthcare professionals from Denmark, Norway and Sweden who had completed at least two of the five course modules. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in line with level 1 in Kirkpatrick's framework for evaluation of education.Results In total, 125 participants completed the surveys. Usability scores exceeded the established cut-off value, indicating acceptable to good usability. Podcasts and case-based videos were perceived as relevant and supportive of learning, with consistently positive item-level ratings. Simulations and learning games were evaluated as engaging and helpful for applying theory to real-life situations, although some participants reported being insufficiently challenged. Quizzes were primarily perceived as useful for reinforcing understanding and supporting achievement of learning objectives rather than for acquiring new information.Conclusion The NorDigHE program was perceived as usable and pedagogically coherent digital learning by both students and healthcare professionals. The results support the use of a multimodal and partially gamified design approach in digital health education. Areas for further development include tailoring the level of challenge in simulations to heterogeneous learner groups. Overall, the results provide a foundation for the continued iterative development of the NorDigHE program.
SN - 1179-7258
ER -