Management of digital competence sharing in healthcare. Insights from managers and professionals in a mixed methods study
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Leena Palotie Auditorium 101A, Kontinkangas campus
Topic of the dissertation
Management of digital competence sharing in healthcare. Insights from managers and professionals in a mixed methods study
Doctoral candidate
Master of Health Sciences Mira Hammarén
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research unit of Health Sciences and Technology
Subject of study
Health Management Science
Opponent
Professor Johanna Lammintakanen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Outi Kanste, University of Oulu
Digital competence sharing in healthcare requires effective management
Digital solutions are an integral part of healthcare professionals’ work, and their appropriate use requires the continuous development of digital competence. Alongside formal training, workplace learning and the sharing of competence among professionals are needed. Healthcare work communities already possess considerable digital competence and practical experience, but systematic management is required to make this expertise more widely available.
This doctoral study examined what the management of digital competence sharing among healthcare professionals entails, how it is implemented in practice, and which background factors are associated with it. The study comprised four sub-studies based on interviews and surveys conducted with healthcare managers and professionals. Two instruments were also developed and tested to assess the management of digital competence sharing from the perspectives of both managers and professionals.
The findings showed that the management of digital competence sharing is a broad and multifaceted area of management. It includes providing the resources and opportunities needed for learning, establishing shared practices, and identifying, developing, and utilising professionals’ digital competence. It also involves supporting learning among professionals with different levels of competence and experience, creating a safe and collaborative organisational atmosphere, and encouraging professionals to share their expertise.
Managers rated their own management of digital competence sharing more positively than professionals rated that of their managers. Both groups identified the creation of a safe and positive digital organisational atmosphere as the strongest area. The greatest need for improvement was identified in the provision of resources and practical opportunities for competence sharing. Managers’ and professionals’ assessments were also associated with factors such as age, work experience, management level, previous digital training, organisational setting, and work environment.
The findings and the instruments developed in this study can be used in healthcare management, management education, and the assessment of workplace practices. They can help organisations identify strengths and areas for improvement in the management of digital competence sharing and develop practices that enable existing competence to be shared more widely across work communities.
This doctoral study examined what the management of digital competence sharing among healthcare professionals entails, how it is implemented in practice, and which background factors are associated with it. The study comprised four sub-studies based on interviews and surveys conducted with healthcare managers and professionals. Two instruments were also developed and tested to assess the management of digital competence sharing from the perspectives of both managers and professionals.
The findings showed that the management of digital competence sharing is a broad and multifaceted area of management. It includes providing the resources and opportunities needed for learning, establishing shared practices, and identifying, developing, and utilising professionals’ digital competence. It also involves supporting learning among professionals with different levels of competence and experience, creating a safe and collaborative organisational atmosphere, and encouraging professionals to share their expertise.
Managers rated their own management of digital competence sharing more positively than professionals rated that of their managers. Both groups identified the creation of a safe and positive digital organisational atmosphere as the strongest area. The greatest need for improvement was identified in the provision of resources and practical opportunities for competence sharing. Managers’ and professionals’ assessments were also associated with factors such as age, work experience, management level, previous digital training, organisational setting, and work environment.
The findings and the instruments developed in this study can be used in healthcare management, management education, and the assessment of workplace practices. They can help organisations identify strengths and areas for improvement in the management of digital competence sharing and develop practices that enable existing competence to be shared more widely across work communities.
Created 1.9.2026 | Updated 2.9.2026