The Digital and Data Capability for Sexual and Reproductive Health (DDCSRH) Models and associated resources 'respond to stated workforce needs and challenges, promoting a shared vocabulary and conceptual framework to support strategic engagement with current and emergent digital and data technologies, policies and practice.'
Key Findings
Background
Digitisation of sexual and reproductive health services increases the risk of exclusion for consumers who already experience stigma, disadvantage, and marginalisation.
The paper identifies digital and data practices as presenting 'specific challenges for the fields of sexual and reproductive health, intersecting with both social and commercial determinants of health'.
Prior to this work, there had been 'little targeted practical guidance for sexual and reproductive health practitioners and organisations seeking to strategically engage with digital transformation'.
The concern applies particularly to consumers from already marginalised groups.
Methods
The study used a four-year iterative participatory interdisciplinary research program involving multiple participant groups across several research phases.
Methods included narrative literature review, key informant interviews with experienced practitioners and academics (n = 25).
Participatory workshops and interviews were conducted with sexual and reproductive health practitioners (n = 18) and health consumers (n = 32).
A qualitative critical construct validation approach was used, involving a final round of participatory workshops with health practitioners (n = 34).
The study drew on disciplines including media and communication, data studies, public health, and adult education theory and practice.
Results
Participants identified multiple challenges related to digital and data capability in sexual and reproductive health workforces.
Challenges included difficulties with 'digital and data access and infrastructure'.
Participants reported 'gaps in existing skills and training' among the workforce.
'Misguided assumptions about younger staff's capabilities as digital natives' were identified as a specific problem.
'Ad-hoc governance procedures' were also described as a challenge by participants.
Results
Younger participants, particularly those aged 18–29, identified a need for additional systemic support to implement the DDCSRH Models in their workplaces.
This finding contrasts with common assumptions that younger workers are inherently more capable with digital tools ('digital natives').
The need for systemic — not just individual — support was highlighted specifically by this age group.
This finding was noted as an area requiring further attention in future research and resource development.
Conclusions
The DDCSRH Models and knowledge translation website were developed as a suite of resources designed to support evidence-based workforce capability building in sexual and reproductive health.
Resources were designed with 'particular attention to practitioner concerns' raised during the research.
The Models aim to provide 'a shared vocabulary and conceptual framework' for engaging with digital and data technologies, policies, and practice.
The resources were validated through participatory workshops with health practitioners (n = 34) using a qualitative critical construct validation approach.
The authors note that 'future research is needed to tailor resources for specific disciplines'.
What This Means
This research addresses a gap in practical guidance for people working in sexual and reproductive health who need to navigate the growing use of digital technologies and data in their field. Over four years, researchers worked with practitioners, academics, and health consumers — using interviews, workshops, and literature review — to understand the real challenges faced by the workforce and to co-develop a set of resources called the Digital and Data Capability for Sexual and Reproductive Health (DDCSRH) Models. The study found that workers struggled with inadequate infrastructure, skills gaps, poor governance, and mistaken assumptions that younger staff are naturally tech-savvy simply because of their age.
This research suggests that moving health services online is not straightforward, especially in sexual and reproductive health, where many clients already face stigma and disadvantage. Without careful, targeted support, digital transformation risks leaving the most vulnerable people behind. The DDCSRH Models and accompanying website were designed to give the workforce a common language and practical framework to engage thoughtfully and strategically with digital tools and data practices, rather than adopting them in a haphazard way.
The study also found that younger workers (aged 18–29) felt they needed more systemic organisational support — not just individual training — to put these models into practice. This challenges the popular idea that younger generations are inherently better equipped for digital work. The researchers note that further work is needed to adapt the resources for specific health disciplines, but the overall framework represents a practical step toward building a more capable and equitable digital health workforce in sexual and reproductive health settings.
Mannix S, Albury K. (2026). Digital and data capabilities for sexual and reproductive health: a participatory interdisciplinary approach to workforce transformation.. BMC health services research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13970-5