Digital Skills for Doctors - Explaining European Doctors’ Position

The digital skills deficit in healthcare is a major topic being addressed at several instances in the EU. The new European Skills Agenda identifies as a core action the so-called “Pact for Skills” with the aim of upskilling (improving existing skills) and reskilling (training in new skills) the workforce in the next five years. The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) suggests framing digital skills into three main areas: general, technical and related to patient-doctor relationship. These new skills should be reflected in the future curricula of medical faculties, in particular during specialist medical education, and integrated into continuous professional development (CPD) to keep doctors up-to-date with digital innovations.