Understanding the Digital Capability Framework: Data Literacy
This article is the fifth instalment in a six-part series exploring the Digital Capability Framework (DCF). Developed by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the DCF is made up of six areas, called domains and a self-evaluation tool. It supports healthcare professionals in recognising the importance of digital technology and identifying areas for digital growth.
Advancing digital skills when working in a healthcare setting is vital, not only for personal development in an increasingly digital world but also for improving patient care. As technology evolves, it is essential for healthcare professionals to build the confidence and expertise needed to integrate it effectively into practice.
This series provides a detailed examination of each DCF domain, highlighting its importance and impact.
The Data Literacy domain contains three sub domains:
- Discovering data
- Using data
- Data to knowledge
This domain focuses on collecting and understanding data to support evidence-based decisions. It highlights the importance of knowing what data is, how to find and interpret it, and ensuring its quality. It also emphasises the benefits of using data analysis tools to transform data into knowledge. These skills are essential for understanding data and using it to grow both personally and professionally, helping people make informed decisions in a fast-changing world.
Discovering data
The Discovering Data subdomain explores key skills in finding and interpreting data, starting with the ability to seek support to locate and understand information. Over time, individuals will gain the skills to independently find and use data from various systems, and eventually support others in doing the same.
This involves learning to identify data issues, becoming confident in checking commonly used data, and ultimately ensuring data is accurate, complete, consistent, reliable, and up to date.
Using data
The Using Data subdomain focuses on essential skills for collecting, manipulating, and curating data. It starts with understanding methods and tools for data collection, moving from initial uncertainty to confidently applying appropriate techniques. Over time, individuals will be able to clean and organise data effectively, ensuring it is readable and usable.
As skills develop, individuals will learn how to clean and organise data so that it is readable and usable. Curating data means preparing and sharing it in ways that are legal and ethical. As they progress, individuals will be able to add metadata, apply best practices, and manage datasets with confidence.
Data to knowledge
The Data to Knowledge subdomain focuses on transforming data into actionable insights. It begins with learning how to use data analysis software like Excel, Python, R, and Microsoft Power BI. This progression moves individuals from beginners to experts. who can analyse, interpret, and help others with data analysis.
Starting with basic tables, charts, and graphs, individuals will advance to creating impactful visualisations and effectively communicating data.
This journey helps individuals understand how data can support decisions, leading to confidently using data for decision-making and evaluations.
Your next step
Getting started with developing your online communication skills can be daunting.
A great first step is to complete the Digital Capability Framework (DCF) self-assessment tool.
The tool will help prompt you to consider your current digital skills and signpost bite-size resources to help kick start your development.
It takes approximately one hour to complete the DCF, which you work through at your own pace, at a time to suit you. Your progress will be saved along the way, so you can pause and go back to it as often as you need.
Many professions recognise this activity by providing an hour of certified continuing professional development (CPD) for completion.
Visit the HEIW website to learn more.