The Value of Peer Learning in digital health communities
Peer learning is the act of collaborative learning with and from colleagues. Digital health is a rapidly evolving field and it is, therefore, really important for all digital health and care professionals to keep abreast of developments. UK Digital Health and Care (UKDHC) has a network of members with a wide range of digital health experience working in different scopes of work in different sectors and places. UKDHC provides forums with valuable peer learning opportunities. The benefits of peer learning through the UKDHC forums include:
Sharing current knowledge: Formal education can become quickly outdated particularly in rapidly evolving fields like digital health. Peer learning ensures that members can hear about the latest information, insights and innovations from those actively working in the digital health field.
Sharing ideas and practical experiences: Sharing of practical experiences and ideas may not always be found in formal educational programmes and so peer learning enables the sharing of experiences including what works well and what does not work so well.
Widening perspectives from different scopes of work: UKDHC has a broad membership from different scopes of work and this enables a wide perspective of experiences from different sectors (NHS, private, charity).
Broadening cultural and global insights: Digital health is fast developing across the world and so peer learning enables experiences from across the UK and globally to be shared.
Improved confidence and competence: Active discussion about digital health matters through regular open discussion forums, with the opportunity to ask questions in a safe space, contributes to the growth in confidence and competence of members by fostering deeper understanding.
Networking with other digital health professionals: Peer learning enables the fostering of new connections, the development of collaborative working relationships, the navigation of new paths and advancements in the digital health field.
Feedback: The UKDHC peer learning forums enable members to seek constructive feedback from each other in order to aid professional growth by refining approaches and advancing progress.
Support: The UKDHC community offers support and encouragement to members who may be experiencing similar challenges.
Improving patient care: Digital health has already changed the way in which care is delivered to patients and change is set to continue. Peer learning ensures that patient care and safety are at the forefront of digital health developments.
Digital health is a rapidly evolving field and so keeping up to date with latest developments through peer learning in a supportive collegiate forum is crucial for digital health communities in order to deliver high-quality, safe and efficient patient care.
Dr Alexandra Harkins
MA MBBS MRCGP DRCOG DCH DFSRH PGCE