Digital Competency of Psychologists: A Scoping Review

Abstract: Digital competency is becoming increasingly vital in psychological practice, yet consensus is lacking on the specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for effective technology integration in psychological care and therapeutic settings. Existing frameworks primarily focus on telepsychology and telehealth, neglecting broader psychological practice. This scoping review addresses this gap by synthesizing relevant literature, identifying key digital competencies, evaluating existing frameworks, and highlighting gaps to inform the development of an integrated competency framework for psychologists. A PRISMA-ScR guided research was conducted in August 2024 across seven major databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest One Academic, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Taylor & Francis Online, and EBSCOhost. Two independent reviewers screened 577 articles, of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified eleven digital competencies, hierarchically grouped into five key domains: technical, ethical and legal, digital practice, training and research, and infrastructure and equity. By mapping these competencies and highlighting gaps in existing frameworks, this study provides a structured basis for developing standardized competency models. This ensures that future frameworks incorporate the necessary skills and knowledge for psychologists to navigate evolving technologies, AI integration, and cross-cultural digital practice effectively.