Development of a core competency framework for clinical informatics

Objectives
Until this point there was no national core
competency framework for clinical informatics in the UK.
We report on the final two iterations of work carried out in
the formation of a national core competency framework.
This follows an initial systematic literature review of
existing skills and competencies and a job listing analysis.
Methods
An iterative approach was applied to framework
development. Using a mixed-methods
design we carried
out semi-structured
interviews with participants involved
in informatics (n=15). The framework was updated based
on the interview findings and was subsequently distributed
as part of a bespoke online digital survey for wider
participation (n=87). The final version of the framework is
based on the findings of the survey.
Results Over 102 people reviewed the framework as part
of the interview or survey process. This led to a final core
competency framework containing 6 primary domains with
36 subdomains containing 111 individual competencies.
Conclusions An iterative mixed-methods
approach for
competency development involving the target community
was appropriate for development of the competency
framework. There is some contention around the depth of
technical competencies required. Care is also needed to
avoid professional burnout, as clinicians and healthcare
practitioners already have clinical competencies to
maintain. Therefore, how the framework is applied in
practice and how practitioners meet the competencies
requires careful consideration.