Training clinicians to lead clinical IT projects

Across New Zealand, a huge programme of work is being initiated to improve the health information systems of our sector. The goals of this plan are to address major risks and issues such as cybersecurity and our inability to securely share health data across organisations for clinical care. To fulfil the promise of planned health IT initiatives, we must involve clinicians of all disciplines to help lead, design and implement projects. However, there is currently little pragmatic training available for clinicians to learn how to do so. In 2019, Waitematā District Health Board and the National Institute for Health Innovation developed and delivered a 'hands-on' Clinical Digital Academy training programme for multidisciplinary clinicians. This paper describes the programme, the initial cohort's evaluation feedback and recommendations for the future.