3.2 Identify how own and others’ attitudes towards digital skills can impact on practice

This guide will help you answer 3.2 Identify how own and others’ attitudes towards digital skills can impact on practice.

Your outlook and the outlook of those in your team can change how digital skills are used in day-to-day practice. People can have both positive and negative attitudes. These can influence performance, communication, and care outcomes.

In this guide, we will look at how attitudes form and how they affect working life in adult care settings.

What Are Digital Skills in Adult Care?

Digital skills cover the ability to use equipment, programmes, and systems used in care settings. Examples include:

• Updating care plans electronically
• Using email or messaging to share information
• Accessing online training courses
• Inputting and retrieving medication records

Having these skills helps staff provide effective, safe, and person-centred care.

What are Attitudes?

Attitude means a settled way of thinking or feeling. Attitudes can be positive, negative, or neutral.

• Positive: Seeing digital tools as useful, efficient, or interesting
• Negative: Feeling anxious, frustrated, or uninterested in using technology
• Neutral: Indifferent, neither supportive nor resistant

Attitudes develop from past experiences, beliefs, knowledge, confidence, and the influence of others.

How Your Own Attitude Affects Practice

Confidence and Competence

If you feel confident with digital skills, you will likely use them more. You might:

• Complete records accurately and promptly
• Use reporting systems
• Find information fast and make better decisions

If you lack confidence, you may avoid digital tasks or make mistakes. This can slow work down and increase errors.

Role Modelling

In a leadership role, how you act sets the tone. If you show interest in learning and using digital tools, others are more likely to do the same. Staff often copy the behaviour they see from managers. A negative attitude from you may cause resistance in your team.

Willingness to Learn

You may have gaps in your own skills. Being open to learning—such as attending training or asking for support—encourages others to do the same. If you dismiss training or make negative comments about changes, it can create an environment where others feel learning is unnecessary or not valued.

Impacting Communication

Positive attitudes mean you are more likely to use digital communication systems as intended. This keeps families, staff, and professionals connected. Negative attitudes may result in missed messages or poor record-keeping.

How Others’ Attitudes Affect Practice

Staff Engagement

Staff attitudes affect dedication to using digital systems. Positive attitudes mean:

• More accurate record keeping
• Better information sharing
• Faster responses to changes in care needs

Negative attitudes can lead to:

• Resistance to new systems
• Paperwork being missed
• Errors in medication or care notes
• Gaps in communication between teams

Trust and Anxiety

Some staff may not trust digital record systems, perhaps worrying about confidentiality, mistakes, or job security. Anxiety can prevent them from using tools correctly or at all. This may put the individual at risk and affect the quality of care.

Team Morale and Conflict

Workers with negative views may complain, criticise or ignore processes. This can lower morale and create tension with staff keen to use digital systems. Teamwork suffers if some staff refuse to engage, increasing the workload for others.

Inclusivity

If digital learning or updates do not consider different skill levels, some staff can feel left behind. This unfairness can breed resentment and cause some workers to withdraw.

Common Barriers to Positive Attitudes

There are many reasons why staff might struggle to feel positive towards digital skills:

• Fear of change or making mistakes
• Past negative experiences with systems
• Lack of access to good quality training
• Age: some staff think digital skills are harder for older people
• Disabilities affecting vision, dexterity, or memory
• Language barriers
• Poor equipment or unreliable internet
• A belief that face-to-face care is more important than digital skills

Impact on People Who Need Care

Attitudes impact the support people receive. Positive digital skills mean:

• Faster access to information
• Fewer errors
• More accurate records
• Improved safety
• Stronger communication with healthcare professionals and families

Negative attitudes can result in:

• Delays in care
• Lost or incorrect records
• Isolation of people who rely on digital contact
• Missed learning opportunities for personalised care

The Manager’s Role

As a leader, you have a big part to play. Your actions can help shape better attitudes.

• Value training and encourage staff to attend
• Provide coaching for those less confident
• Listen to concerns and offer practical solutions
• Celebrate small wins such as successful use of a new system
• Check equipment is accessible and up-to-date
• Limit negative talk and avoid blaming staff for mistakes
• Share clear, simple guidance for new digital tools

Building Digital Confidence

You can help shape positive attitudes in several ways.

Training and Support

Offer step-by-step sessions for staff at different skill levels. Make learning ongoing, not just a one-off event. Use simple language and visuals.

Peer Support

Buddy systems pair less confident staff with those who are more skilled. Learning in pairs or small groups can build trust.

Clear Policies

Write easy-to-read, practical instructions. Use checklists or visual guides if possible.

Recognise Success

Praise progress, however small. Show how digital skills make a positive difference.

Addressing Fears

Give staff private, safe spaces to speak about their worries. Show understanding and give reassurance.

Attitudes and Digital Inclusion

Digital inclusion means making sure everyone can use technology, no matter their background or skills. Not everyone starts from the same place. Provide:

• Choice of training formats (face-to-face, online, printed guides)
• Adjusted equipment for those with disabilities
• Ongoing supervision
• Support for different languages where needed

This way, staff at every level can grow digital skills.

Managing Negative Attitudes

Negative attitudes are not always fixed. With the right support, most people can adapt.

• Identify the reason behind the resistance; is it fear, lack of skills, or past experiences?
• Give practical, tailored support
• Update staff about successes and positive outcomes
• Involve staff in choosing new tools or planning training
• Show patience, avoid judgement

Attitudes can change through experience. If someone sees positive results, they may become more open-minded.

Personal Reflection and Development

Look at your own attitude honestly. Ask yourself:

• Am I confident with digital tools?
• Do I give staff enough support?
• Have I criticised changes in front of the team?
• How do I encourage learning?
• How do I react when errors are made?

Personal growth improves your ability to lead others.

Impact on Organisational Culture

Work settings with positive digital cultures can:

• Respond quickly to new needs or problems
• Keep families and professionals informed
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Attract and keep skilled staff
• Deliver a better quality of care

If the workplace culture does not value digital skills, it may fall behind in meeting standards.

Risks of Ignoring Attitudes

Failing to recognise and respond to negative attitudes can:

• Increase mistakes
• Create unsafe practices
• Reduce trust between families and staff
• Limit staff development
• Harm the reputation of the service

Encouraging Positive Change

Set a personal example. Promote learning instead of blaming mistakes. Involve staff in setting training needs and choosing new tools. Encourage feedback and act on it.

This grows a culture where digital skills are a normal, trusted part of everyday work.

Final Thoughts

Attitude shapes behaviour at every level. Your attitude and that of your team can help or hinder good practice in adult care. Positive attitudes mean better care, safety, and teamwork. Negative attitudes can slow progress and affect outcomes for people needing care.

Recognise and respond to different attitudes. Support skill-building, listen to concerns, and show patience. By encouraging a positive approach, you support better digital practice across your setting.