Online Focus Group: Digital Health Training Needs in Primary Care
Global Study: Help Shape the Future of Digital Health Training in Primary Care
The WONCA Working Party on eHealth, in collaboration with the Global Digital Health Unit at Imperial College London, is conducting a global research project to explore the digital health training needs of primary care professionals. General practitioners and family doctors are invited to share their experiences and contribute to a growing evidence base that will inform education, policy, and practice worldwide.
This research forms part of a flagship project aimed at improving how digital health is integrated into both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. As healthcare systems increasingly adopt digital tools to meet growing demand, family doctors are often at the frontline—implementing new technologies while managing already complex clinical workloads. However, many doctors report limited formal training in digital health, which can pose challenges to safe and effective integration into daily practice.
We believe the voices of family doctors must shape how we train the next generation. This is a chance to ensure that digital health education is relevant, practical, and supports your ability to provide high-quality care.
What Does Participation Involve?
We invite general practitioners and other primary care professionals to take part in either:
- a 60-minute online focus group, or
- a 30–60-minute one-to-one interview
Both options are held online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Sessions will be recorded for transcription, and video files will be securely destroyed after use. Transcripts will be stored securely by Imperial College London and used only for research purposes.
By taking part, you will help the research team understand the current level of digital health literacy in primary care, identify existing gaps in training, and explore how future training can be better integrated into medical education systems worldwide.
Focus Group Times
Participants may choose one of the following dates:
- Thursday 31 July or Tuesday 5 August
- 5:00 PM (BST – London)
- 12:00 PM (EDT – New York, Toronto)
- 6:00 PM (CEST – Central Europe)
Register to participate using the following link:
https://forms.gle/2MbVhAkqTaZMndjS7
Why Is This Work Important?
The role of family doctors is evolving. Digital tools are now widely used to manage patient access, support clinical decision-making, and reduce administrative burden. But without proper training, these tools can become sources of stress, inefficiency, or even risk. Many GPs report that they must learn on the job, without structured support or opportunities to build confidence in digital skills.
This research project takes a global view, with participation from at least 70 countries across all WONCA regions, including Africa, Asia Pacific, South Asia, Europe, North America, Iberoamericana-CIMF, and the Eastern Mediterranean. It will include an online survey, an eDelphi consensus process, qualitative interviews and focus groups, and a final roundtable or webinar bringing together researchers, policymakers, and health professionals.
The findings will inform academic papers, lay summaries, and a policy brief with recommendations to improve training at multiple levels. These outcomes will support the development of high-quality, accessible digital health training tailored to the needs of GPs and family doctors across diverse settings.
Key Objectives
- Map current digital health training in medical curricula
- Identify gaps and unmet needs in digital health literacy
- Gather insights on preferred learning methods and delivery formats
- Produce recommendations for educators, policy-makers, and health systems
By participating, you will contribute to an international conversation about how family medicine can adapt to a changing digital landscape—while staying grounded in the core values of primary care: continuity, person-centredness, and accessibility.
Watch the Project Video
Contact the Research Team
If you have questions or would like further information, please contact:
We encourage all WONCA members and affiliates to share this invitation within your networks.