EU HPP Stakeholder Network – Profiling and Training the Healthcare Workforce of the Future

Project Status: ONGOING

 

What aims and scope

The EU Health Policy Platform (EU HPP) Thematic Network on ‘Profiling and Training the Healthcare Workforce of the Future’ aims to develop a network that would support the European Commission and the member states in profiling future healthcare workers’ needs and identifying and improving their core competencies in light of anticipated future healthcare needs. 

The network would also aim to highlight a potentially more important role for the Commission in the debate about health system reforms, digitalisation and new models of care.

How it became possible 

In 2020-21, EHMA and Health First Europe (HFE) jointly coordinated the one-year thematic network dedicated to ‘Profiling and training the health care workers of the future’. With 31+ stakeholders across European health and care systems, the network welcomed the relevant experience and insights to inform the policy discussion and define the barriers and incentives that promote the education, training and upskilling of the health workforce.

Together, they developed a Joint Statement that presents a list of workforce education best practices shareable across borders. It speaks to the skills required of the workforce of the future and the role of healthcare professionals in promoting data-driven innovation. Significantly, they would also promote patient-centred and interdisciplinary models of care. Lastly, the joint statement identified the core competencies of the future workforce. It provided a set of concluding policy recommendations to encourage more ambitious initiatives at the EU, national and organisational levels.

Where EHMA delivered

Apart from organising and overseeing the network, EHMA and HFE launched the EU Health Policy Platform Stakeholder Network ‘Profiling and Training the Healthcare Workforce of the Future – Essential Skills for a Resilient and Effective European Health Workforce’ report.

A downloadable ‘Essential Skills for a Resilient and Effective European Health Workforce’ infographic was also made available. 

EHMA ensured that the 2022 report was presented at the Innovation in Health and Social Care Interest Group Meeting in the European Parliament.

WHY YOU WILL BENEFIT

The 2022 report on “Essential Skills for a Resilient and Effective European Health Workforce” provides recommendations that target policymakers at all levels. With this document, you’ll gain insights into the existing and foreseeable skills gaps of the European health workforce in the context of visible trends and challenges. 

The recommendations centre around four skills areas:

  • Digital, eHealth and AI
  • Patient-centred communication
  • Interdisciplinary approaches and coordination 
  • Green 

These recommendations also highlight how the healthcare workforce can best receive the support they need to acquire these skills for current healthcare difficulties. 

Finally, you can form part of the network mentioned above by registering in the EU Health Policy Platform and requesting access to the network.

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What our Members say

I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.

Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy

Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.

Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria

I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.

Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta

EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.

Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK

Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.

Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary

As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.

Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal

Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.

Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK

Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.

Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain