Health Informatics Competencies and Workforce Needs in the Age of AI: A Canadian Case Study

AI in health professional education has become a priority. There has been international recognition that both health professionals and health informatics specialists may lack or are in the process of learning AI skills.

In this paper we take a case study approach to understand and explore competencies and workforce issues in relation to AI in the country context of Canada.

The paper uses a detailed case study approach, using integrative review and content of analysis of documents (publications, reports and white papers).

The key themes identified from the review process focused on the following: Systems investment in AI projects; Digital health and AI competencies for health informatics specialists; Digital health and AI competencies for health professions; and Canadian strategies for educating health technology professionals and health professionals.

There has been an increasing focus on updating competencies for health professionals to include AI skills. However, there has been less focus on updating skills and curricula for health informatics specialist training.