RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Topol digital fellowship aspirants: Understanding the motivations, priorities and experiences of the next generation of digital health leaders
JF Future Healthcare Journal
JO Future Healthc J
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 51
OP 56
DO 10.7861/fhj.2021-0177
VO 9
IS 1
A1 Tim Robbins
A1 Ioannis Kyrou
A1 Theodoros N Arvanitis
A1 Harpal S Randeva
A1 Sailesh Sankar
A1 Stuart Sutherland
A1 Louise Booth
YR 2022
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/9/1/51.abstract
AB Introduction The Topol Programme for Digital Fellowships in Healthcare is a flagship national programme for digital health aspirants in England. This programme is heavily over-subscribed with applicants, representing a cross section of healthcare professionals interested in a future digital health career. The aim this study was to identify motivations, priorities and experiences of these applicants.Method Systematic qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of an entire cohort of anonymised applications to the 2021 Topol Programme for Digital Fellowships in Healthcare were performed.Results Two-hundred and eighty applications were received from diverse healthcare professional roles. There were limited applications from mental health or social care sectors. Most applicants reported good organisational support from their employers, but limited interaction with senior digital leaders within their organisations. Relatively limited consideration of health inequalities or engagement with industry was noted. Women were statistically significantly more likely to consider health inequality/inequity implications in their applications.Discussion The analysis offers an insight into motivations, priorities and experiences of the next generation of digital health leaders. There is a need to link aspirants with local digital leaders and to support broader consideration of health inequalities. Supporting such needs and gaps is expected to further help meet recommendations proposed in The Topol Review and contribute to optimising the skills of the future digital health workforce.