Over the last 2 ½ years KHCN has sought to expand digital equity and literacy within its network of 26 health centers. Recognizing that the digital divide impacts patient access to care, KHCN is tackling this challenge by building the capacity of healthcare workers to train their peers and engage patients with technology. COO Lindsay Nelson coordinated a Digital Navigator training pilot. After exhaustive research and a substantial vendor review process, Community Tech Network (CTN) was selected as the project vendor. Staff from Health First Community Health Center, HealthFirst Bluegrass, Juniper Health, Primary Plus, and Sterling Health Care completed the program and are now Digital Navigators.
CTN’s program empowers healthcare workers with essential tools and training to address the intersection of digital equity and health outcomes. Participants gain an understanding of:
- Digital Equity’s Impact on Health: Exploring how the digital divide affects access to care and social determinants of health.
- Digital Tools for Health Management: Identifying resources to help patients manage their physical and mental health digitally.
- Client Privacy Expertise: Addressing privacy concerns and health data confidentiality.
- Digital Barriers: Developing strategies to overcome barriers that hinder patient healthcare access.
- Digitally-Inclusive Care Practices: Promoting digital skills training to make patients’ communities more accessible.
Feedback from participants was very positive, and we will be working to find ways to spread the program to advance a more digitally inclusive healthcare system in Kentucky.