Work

Developing a Competent Workforce for Integrated Health and Social Care: What Does It Take?

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Summary Reflecting on the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work in integrated care, this perspectives paper explores the competencies required to implement and deliver integrated care and analyses how current education and training approaches fall short of conveying these competencies on all levels. By defining the differences between knowledge, skills and attitudes, and outlining the key ingredients for a competent workforce, this paper brings to light one of the most neglected topics in integrated care. Why is building a competent workforce not a priority yet? Nobody would ever question the necessity of having a competent workforce to deliver high quality services. Equally, everyone keeps reaffirming the challenges and complexities associated with designing, managing, implementing and delivering integrated care. Yet, there are few examples of integrated care initiatives, which invest in the education and training of their people or which have adequate programmes available to build the skills and attitudes necessary to change service delivery towards integrated, people-centred care. While the focus remains on implementing a plethora of tools and instruments to support and foster integration of health and social services, little thought is given to the people who need to implement and utilize these tools on a day-to-day basis. Having started my professional career as a PhD and PostDoc at the Medical University of Vienna, I have been actively involved in the education and training of students and professionals from the outset. I have designed and delivered courses from the undergraduate to the professional training level, and for uni- as well as multidisciplinary audiences around the world. And as a health economist with a background in organisational development and project management, I have always been fascinated by how our health and social systems are organised with a seeming disregard for an overall understanding and alignment of activities. Combining my passion for teaching with my long-standing involvement in integrated

Source: International Journal of Integrated Care

DOI: 10.5334/ijic.2533

Author: K Viktoria Stein

Institutions: International Foundation for Integrated Care, International Foundation for Integrated Care

Language: English

Topic: Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,839