What are the most important skills for your profession?

Find out what the most important skills are for each profession.

Many of the commonly mentioned skills were around Information Governance (IG) and data protection, which includes areas such as safety online, confidentiality and security. When asked if they were aware of the possible IG implications of using digital technologies in education and practice, most participants, across professions indicated that they are (Figure 24).

In the focus groups, participants raised IG concerns such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, indicating that awareness of IG is an important skill for staff in higher education institutions (HEIs) and practice education leads.

Training around IG was commonly mentioned by respondents in the survey. However, one participant noted that IG limitations are preventing some Trusts from using specific digital technologies for health and care education. Therefore, whilst it is important, it was felt that it can also be limiting.

Another skill that was highlighted was the ability to use Electronic Patient Records (EPRs).

This is a skill which many Practice Education Leads highlighted as a key skill for their profession. This is because it is a technology typically used in a clinical environment. Electronic patient records are set to be rolled out to 90% of Trusts by December 2023 to allow NHS staff to access relevant patient information quickly. Therefore, it will become an increasingly necessary skill.

Finally, skills in data analysis and interpretation, critical appraisal and research were identified as important. This includes data journalism which is about how data can be turned into insights.

Data analysis skills were specifically identified as important for Pharmacy students; however it is likely these skills are important across most professions but were not considered because they are already embedded in the curriculum of most courses.