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Digital literacies are the capabilities which fit someone for living, learning, working, participating and thriving in a digital society.

Becoming a digitally-literate person involves developing those skills, attitudes, values and behaviours that can be categorised under the following headings:

• digital identity, well-being and safety
• communication, collaboration and participation
• teaching, learning and self-development
• technical proficiency
• information, data and media literacies
• digital creation, innovation and scholarship.

Being digitally literate across a range of domains to proficient levels helps us more easily acquire other skills and competencies in life.

The areas covered by the framework form a whole, where each area is of equal importance. Technical proficiency or expertise is one area, among the six covered by the framework. The framework should be of use to all students, nurses, midwives and health care support workers throughout the UK.

Health Education England has produced a further publication to help individuals identify and develop their digital capabilities. See: A Health and Care Digital Capabilities Framework (2017).

Digital identity, well-being and safety: Managing personal and professional identities ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ digital footprint ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ recognizing online bullying ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ managing time online effectively

Information, data and media literacies: Support citizens + patients find reliable information ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ help them use Electronic Patient Health Records and portals ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ using technology to co-ordinate care ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ identify information needed to improve clinical decision making ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ understanding how data is structured within health record systems ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ complying with legal, professional requirements when using and sharing information

Teaching, learning and self-development: Participating in learning using digital media such as online learning and social networking ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ using digital tools to plan and reflect on learning ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ understanding professional behaviours in social media spaces

Communication, collaboration and participation: Using appropriate forms of communication ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ acknowledging points of view and cultural differences ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ online therapeutic relationships ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ developing professional networks

Technical proficiency: Using devices, applications and software for a range of nursing tasks ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ stay up-to-date with evolving technology ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ ability to provide feedback on technology ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ articulating benefits and risks

Digital creation, innovation and scholarship: Ability to work with patients + citizens to co-design and co-develop digitally enabled ways of working ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥“ shaping research agenda for digital innovation