Digital transformation is profoundly reshaping health and social care systems, changing organisational models, care processes, and patient pathways. In this context, digital skills are increasingly becoming an essential requirement for healthcare professionals, who are called upon to work in environments characterised by the integration of technological innovation, quality of care, and person-centred approaches.
The introduction of tools such as electronic health records, telemedicine systems, remote monitoring platforms, healthcare data management applications, and artificial intelligence-based solutions is transforming the way services are delivered and clinical information is managed. Technology does not replace the care relationship; rather, it offers new opportunities to improve access to services, enhance continuity of care, and support more effective decision-making processes. In this context, health and social care professionals are required to develop competencies that go beyond the simple use of digital tools. It is necessary to understand the value of data, interpret available information, use technologies appropriately, and contribute to their integration into care pathways. Digital competencies therefore encompass technical, organisational, communicative, and ethical dimensions, all of which are becoming increasingly relevant in everyday practice.
One of the fastest-growing areas is telemedicine, which enables monitoring, consultation, and care delivery at a distance, supporting the management of people with chronic conditions, vulnerable populations, and continuity of care between hospital and community settings. For healthcare professionals, this means acquiring new ways of communicating with patients and caregivers, as well as developing specific competencies in managing digital care pathways. Digitalisation also introduces new challenges related to data protection, cybersecurity, and the responsible use of technology. For this reason, professional education must include reflection on the ethical and regulatory aspects that accompany digital innovation, ensuring its informed and responsible use in the best interests of those receiving care.
Within the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, attention to digital competencies is part of a forward-looking educational vision aimed at preparing professionals capable of addressing the changes transforming health and social care systems. Developing familiarity with technologies, understanding the strategic value of data, and acquiring a strong digital culture are now essential elements for contributing to service innovation and the development of increasingly effective, integrated, and person-centred models of care.