Trial by fire: How physicians responding to the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need for digital credentials

Abstract

The current credentialing process for physicians struggled to accommodate fluctuating regional demands for providers during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. This hurdle highlighted existing inefficiencies and difficulties facing healthcare systems across the world and led us to explore how credentialing can be improved using digital technologies. We explain how this is a critical moment to make the shift from physical to digital credentials by specifying how a digital credentialing system could simplify onboarding for providers, enable secure expansion of telehealth services, and enhance information exchange.