Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published the results of the National Engagement on Digital Health and Social Care, a project undertaken in partnership with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The aim of the project was to understand the opinions and attitudes of both the Irish public and professionals working in health and social care on a digital approach to health and social care.

The study was conducted in the context of EU targets and the Health Information Bill 2024, which pave the way for people having access to and control over their health records digitally in Ireland. The project comprised of a survey of over 2,000 members of the public, and a separate survey of over 1,000 professionals working in health and social care. A number of focus groups were also held with members of the public, including representatives from minority groups, people who use disability services, and professionals working in health and social care.

The results showed that the public are ready to engage digitally to help manage their health, with 74% of the public saying that they would access their health record online, when available. Of the general public surveyed, 90% surveyed think that an online health record will help them manage their health between visits to a healthcare professional. Importantly, the public want to use their online health record for practical tasks to manage their health. For example, 90% of the public said they want to use their online health record to renew prescriptions for regular medications and 89% said that they want to use their online health record to track progress of tests. 

Professionals think digital care is important to empower patients as partners on their healthcare journey but are concerned that some members of the public may not be ready to interact with them digitally. Of the professionals surveyed, 88% said that an online health record will help people be better informed about their health. 

Professionals highlighted areas that need to be addressed to support the provision of services and communicating digitally, with 54% of professionals surveyed sharing that the IT skills of people they treat and care for will be a challenge. 92% of professionals indicated they want clarity on who to contact for technical support, 83% want training in digital tools and 79% want protocols in place on providing services or information. 

Rachel Flynn, HIQA’s Director of Health Information and Standards, and chair of the project steering group, said: “With the increased investment in digital health, it was important to engage with both the public and professionals, to help develop person-centred digital systems which can strengthen and support care delivery. The findings of this engagement are extremely valuable, providing evidence to inform the development and provision of digital health systems and services in Ireland.  

“The results of the project demonstrate that people want to see education, training and supports rolled out with any online health system. People also want assurances regarding data security which reinforces the importance of upholding people’s rights regarding the collection, use and sharing of their information. IT skills and infrastructure were identified as potential challenges by both the public and professionals.”

“Although there is work that needs to be done, it is very positive to see that both members of the public and the professionals that care for them feel ready to incorporate a digital element into their care.”

The findings from this engagement will inform HIQA’s health information programme of work and practice, policy, legislation and decision-making in Department of Health and the HSE regarding development and provision of digital health systems and services in Ireland. 

Ends.

For further information, contact:
Marty Whelan 
Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement 
085 805 5202 
mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor:

• HIQA advises on the efficient and secure collection and sharing of health information, setting standards, evaluating information resources and publishing information on the delivery and performance of Ireland’s health and social care services.
• As part of this project, a representative sample of 2,009 members of the public shared their views about accessing and sharing their own online health record and accessing services digitally. 
• Aligned to this was a professional survey, with 1,020 people working in health and social care services. Professionals shared their views about the public having access to their online health record and providing services to the public digitally. 
• A number of focus groups were also held. These were attended by 41 participants representing the public, including different minority groups, and 27 professionals working in health and social care.
• The public survey took place between June and July 2023. The professional survey took place between September and October 2023. Focus groups ran between September 2023 and February 2024.
• EU targets set out that the public will have electronic access to their medical records by 2030. The European Health Data Space Regulation aims to create a standardised health data space across the EU, allowing individuals to control and utilise their health data at home or in other Member States. It aims to also enhance the use of data for secondary purposes across the EU by making it possible for researchers, innovators and policy-makers to use this data in a trusted and secure way that preserves privacy.
• The findings will be used by HIQA to inform health information and digital health work programmes.
• The findings will be used by the Department of Health to inform legislation, national policy in digital health and social care being progressed under the Health Information Bill 2024 and the National Digital Health Framework 2024-2030. 
• The HSE will use the findings to inform developments in digital health and social care being progressed under the National Digital Health Implementation Framework 2024-2030.