Can Answers to the Health Workforce Crisis Be Found in Equity-Informed Digital Health?

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Health Human Resources

Background:

• Significant pressures exist on health human resources (HHRs) within the Canadian healthcare system.
• These pressures disproportionately impact equity-deserving communities and populations, exacerbating health disparities.
• Challenges are particularly acute in rural, remote, and urban underserved areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe current pressures on Canadian health human resources (HHRs).
• To explore the impact of these pressures on equity-deserving communities.
• To examine the role and implications of digital health (DH) and hybrid care models in addressing HHR challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing evidence on HHR pressures.
• Analysis of factors influencing HHR distribution and retention in diverse contexts.
• Exploration of digital health (DH) benefits and challenges.
• Case examples of hybrid care model integration.

Main Results:

• Identified key pressures on HHRs, including workload, distribution, and retention issues.
• Highlighted how these pressures exacerbate inequities for vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated the potential of digital health (DH) to support HHRs and improve care delivery.
• Showcased successful integration of hybrid care models in publicly funded systems.

Conclusions:

• Addressing HHR challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including strategic DH implementation.
• Hybrid models of care are crucial for optimizing HHRs and enhancing healthcare access, especially in underserved regions.
• Policy and system-level interventions are needed to support HHRs and promote equitable health outcomes through digital innovation.