Digital Essentials for Carers SCQF Level 6

What is special about this course?

In response to Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and Health and Social Care Moray, we have designed four online micro-credentials to support carers in the Moray region.
Designed with a lot of learning materials, this course is assessed via quizzes with each micro-credential providing package of learning and engagement with digital tools and services that will provide the following high-level learning themes:
1.    An overview of a range of established and emerging digital healthcare technologies; the reasons for their use; and the benefits that they bring, particularly in rural and remote areas;
2.    Information for clients and practitioners about how their personal information will be used and handled; their rights in relation to data protection; and how they can use the information to make informed decisions about digital services;
3.    Delivering and building confidence in core digital skills to clients and carers, through a range of supported activities, and
4.    Supporting the roll-out of digital services through signposting and delivery of planned care, integrated self-management and prevention plans, and self-reporting.

Please note that each micro-credential will need to be completed before progressing onto the next.

There is no cost to study this course. 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements.

Course Content Includes:

Micro Credential 1: A brief history of digital technologies in health and social care
Aim: This unit will introduce learners to a range of established and emerging digital healthcare technologies, including online support communities; smartphone apps; video calling; online shopping; telemedicine, and wearables and sensors. Learners will explore how digital healthcare technologies are transforming the lives of carers and clients by putting patients at the centre of healthcare, and by empowering them to participate actively in their care, with a greater focus on wellbeing and prevention. It will also highlight some of the challenges relating to vulnerable and older people, including common accessibility issues such as vision, hearing, and dexterity and heightened anxieties about technology and internet security.
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
1.1.    Describe a range of digital technologies and how these can be used to support the personalised delivery of health and social care.
1.2.    Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of digital tools and services as part of an integrated package of health and social care.

Micro Credential 2: Developing Skills and Confidence in Digital Care
Aim: Digital technology can help people to access a wide range of learning and self-development opportunities, and can help people to manage their health and wellbeing. However, using technology in social care requires additional specific knowledge and skills, including using mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; electronic communication; online etiquette; connecting to the internet; solving basic IT problems, and knowing where to turn for IT support. This Unit provides carers the opportunity to practice, apply, and develop confidence in these skills.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
2.1 Apply a range of core digital skills across a range of devices and operating environments.
2.2 Troubleshoot and solve simple problems and identify online and other sources of help and support for more complex issues.
2.3 Identify areas for further personal development of digital skills, and other courses that will support that development.

Micro Credential 3: Digital care: The Moray context
Aim: This unit focuses on the potential for digital technologies to transform the quality and impact of social care in rural areas, such as Moray. Beginning with the systemic challenges around delivering health and social care in areas of low population density, a series of illustrated case studies and interviews will help those working in social care to understand the full and positive impact of digital technologies in supporting high-quality, person-centred care in rural and remote areas. This will include helping people to choose technology that works for them; accessing personal information online, and staying connected to people or communities that are important to them.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
3.1    Describe some of the challenges of delivering effective and impactful social care in rural areas with low population density.
3.2    Describe how digital technologies can address some of these challenges and allow people to stay connected, empowered and independent.
3.3    Make informed decisions about using digital tools based on person-centric principles including need and location.

Micro Credential 4: Your Personal Information and How It's Used
Aim: This unit introduces learners to the concept of digital information within health and social care, with a particular focus on personal and sensitive data. Starting from the position outlined in Unit 1, that technology can help people to live more independently, have greater control over their care, and enable services to run more efficiently, Unit 2 builds on the key notion that people working in social care must understand the ethical issues that can arise from using technology and the handling of personal and sensitive information. The primary focus of this unit is to help carers balance those considerations so that they can understand and put people's best interests at the heart of any decisions to use digital tools.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
4.1 Describe what is meant by personal and sensitive information.
4.2 Describe how personal information is collected, stored, and used by different organisations, and what rights individuals have to protect their privacy.
4.3 Make informed decisions about how to use digital tools based on information usage and security.
There is no cost to study this course. 

Equipment

Access to an internet connection and either a laptop or computer is required to undertake this programme.

Fees

This course is free of charge.

Additional costs

There is no cost to study this course.