An Interview with Perihan Aykut & Merve Güzel on the Training on Health IT Systems: Shaping the Future of Digital Health Literacy

We conducted an interview with Perihan Aykut and Merve Güzel, our Training Specialists, to underscore the critical role of training on digital health products. Aykut and Güzel shared their valuable insights on the necessity of effective training during the adoption of digital health tools, emphasizing that proper training is not merely an introductory step but an ongoing process that ensures the sustained use of these technologies.

Here’s the interview:

1. Could you tell us about the place and importance of training in digitalization?

At Tiga Healthcare Technologies, we recognize that training is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation. It is not just about implementing new technologies; it is about ensuring that every stakeholder—from clinicians to administrative staff—can effectively utilize these tools to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Our commitment to training guarantees that digital solutions are not only adopted but are also leveraged to their fullest potential.

2. How does training contribute to institutions that embrace new technologies?  

Training serves as the bridge between technological innovation and practical application. By providing comprehensive training programs, we enable healthcare institutions to seamlessly integrate new technologies into their workflows. This not only enhances user confidence but also accelerates the adoption process, leading to improved patient outcomes and streamlined operations. 

3. What are the key considerations when preparing effective training materials and user manuals for relevant stakeholders with different technical skill levels?  

When developing training materials and user manuals, we consider user-centric design, clarity and accessibility, interactive learning, and continuous feedback. We tailor content to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders with varying technical proficiencies. Moreover, we utilize clear language and intuitive visuals to facilitate understanding while incorporating hands-on sessions and simulations to reinforce learning. In addition to these, we encourage feedback from users to help us continuously refine and improve training materials. 

4. What are the biggest challenges in user training and adoption of digital health technologies and how do you address them?  

One of the primary challenges is resistance to change, often stemming from unfamiliarity with new systems. To address this, we involve relevant stakeholders, who are the end users of the tools, in both the development and implementation phases. This approach helps foster a strong sense of ownership. Also, we offer continuous training and support to ease the transition. Furthermore, we highlight the tangible benefits of new technologies to encourage adoption. 

5. How are digitalization trends in healthcare impacting or expected to impact user training methodologies?  

The evolving landscape of healthcare digitalization necessitates adaptive training methodologies. We are embracing e-learning platforms to facilitate remote and flexible learning opportunities. In addition, we deliver concise, focused content for quick assimilation through microlearning modules. We also utilize gamification to enhance engagement through interactive and game-based learning approaches. 

6. As Tiga Healthcare Technologies offers a variety of health information technologies from the Interoperability product suite to Hospital Information System, how do you approach identifying training needs for such a broad product range?  

Given our extensive suite of health information technologies, we conduct needs assessments by evaluating the specific requirements of each institution and user group. Furthermore, we develop tailored training plans that align with the unique workflows and objectives of our clients. In addition to these, we utilize data to monitor training effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. 

Key Points of the Interview 

• The Importance of Training in Digital Health Transformation: Training is a fundamental pillar for the successful adoption and utilization of digital health technologies. It empowers relevant stakeholders to effectively use these tools to improve patient care and operational efficiency. By acting as the crucial link between technological advancements and their practical implementation in healthcare settings, comprehensive training facilitates the seamless integration of new technologies into existing workflows.
• User-Centric and Adaptive Training Strategies: To prepare effective training programs, the diverse technical skills of users must be considered. In other words, customizing the approach to meet the needs of every stakeholder from the digitally savvy to those who are less familiar with technology is necessary. User-centric, clear, interactive and feedback-driven training programs facilitate adaptation to the changing landscape of healthcare digitalization by incorporating e-learning, microlearning, and gamification.
• Addressing Resistance to Change Through Engagement and Support: User resistance is a significant challenge in digital health adoption, and ongoing training and support are essential to overcome resistance to change. Involving users early in the training process and clearly demonstrating the concrete benefits of new technologies encourages acceptance and utilization.

This insightful interview with Aykut and Güzel shows that training has gained paramount importance in today’s increasingly digitalized world. While many people believe that they can find answers to all their questions through a search engine, this is often not the case. In reality, training forms a crucial component of digital transformation, ensuring effective adoption and usage of new technologies across different sectors involving the healthcare ecosystem. Thanks to Aykut and Güzel’s sharing, it is now better understood why training is not just beneficial but vital for the future of healthcare. 

Let’s shape the future together, as always!