The Digital Inclusion Framework (DIF) for Health and Care

Summary

A thinking tool and implementation tool designed to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital health and care, whenever they need to, thereby reducing digital exclusion and the associated health inequalities.

Content

To be digitally included for health and care, individuals need to:

• Know about digital health and care services, pathways, applications, and technologies that can benefit them.
• Have access to and be able to afford the necessary technology and associated requirements (e.g. data, smartphone).
• Have the skills and support (either informal or formal) to optimally use the technologies/pathways.
• Believe that the effort to engage will be worthwhile, (recognising some people will have more barriers than others to overcome).
• Trust that the services, pathways, and technologies are safe and effective, and their data is safe too.
• Be able to access and use pathways, services, and technologies because they are easy to understand and are user-friendly, whatever their needs.
• Have confidence in receiving appropriate guidance and support when needed.

Download the framework interactive tool.

Digital inclusion assessment tool - This assessment tool helps health and care service commissioners and providers assess programmes, pathways and technologies for digital inclusion.