Shaping the Future of Healthcare Workforce Training – Insights from the Advisory Board
Ms. Julie Browne, Reader in Medical Education at Cardiff University School of Medicine
The H-PASS Consortium recently convened for a two-day meeting in Budapest to share insights from the pilot training and discuss the next steps for implementing the local training programs. The event was organized by Országos Kórházi Főigazgatóság (OKFŐ) and hosted at the Semmelweis University Health Services Management Training Centre, an associated partner of the H-PASS Consortium.
It was an honor to welcome two distinguished members of the H-PASS Advisory Board, who graciously accepted our invitation to share their vision and expertise with the consortium.
A special thank you to Ms. Julie Browne from the Cardiff University School of Medicine for taking the time to answer our questions.
H-PASS: What does HP mean to you and your organization in terms of its mission and values?
H-PASS is centered on interprofessional education and international collaboration. The H-PASS consortium has developed cutting-edge content using the latest interactive techniques.
I believe the most important aspect is that it’s not just about developing technical skills for practitioners; it’s about reaffirming the importance of excellence in healthcare education and patient care. Every exercise is highly patient-centered, ensuring that those utilizing AI are safe to practice.
Ultimately, its mission and values are truly essential.
How do you see a new project like H-PASS in tackling the improvement of health workforce in the EU?
It has been incredibly interesting to be involved behind the scenes, working on aspects of the project that the end users will never see. What I find particularly fascinating is precisely this behind-the-scenes work: the part that users won’t directly experience but has been truly remarkable.
Watching these incredible teams from six different countries collaborate has been absolutely inspiring. They come from diverse professions, cultures, languages, and regulatory systems, each focusing on different aspects of healthcare and the specific needs of their own countries. Yet, despite these differences, they have come together to embody the true definition of interprofessional education: learning with, from, and about each other to enhance collaborative care.
I believe this serves as a wonderful model for future collaborative projects, allowing countries to share their expertise in a truly democratic and constructive way. I have great admiration for the EU and the organizers of this initiative, who have worked to create a vision of a world where we bring together the best of every country and every profession to produce something truly valuable for all.
I sincerely hope this effort will continue well into the future.
What would you tell a health professional who is interested in this program? Why would they apply for it?
First of all, they’re going to enjoy it—and what is education if it isn’t fun? I’ve seen the teaching materials, and there are so many opportunities for learners to have an engaging and enjoyable experience while developing the essential skills and attitudes they need.
Secondly, as I mentioned, this truly is a cutting-edge course. It incorporates the latest technologies, the most up-to-date evidence, and the best research. It addresses a wide range of crucial issues for the future of healthcare and healthcare education. I don’t think there’s another course like it: it’s original, and I believe participants will gain significant benefits from it.
Finally, if I were speaking to an individual learner, I would emphasize that this course is tailored specifically for them. It’s not a generic program that everyone has to adapt to; rather, each delivery has been carefully designed and developed to meet the needs of specific groups in particular geographical areas and with distinct learning requirements.
The course is highly flexible: you can complete it at your own pace. At the same time, it includes a face-to-face component, allowing participants to meet others, learn with one another, learn from one another, and learn about one another. Additionally, it will be approved at the highest level in each country, ensuring it meets the needs of health professionals.
So, when you engage with it, you can tell that it addresses a real need for learning and I hope it also brings a lot of fun along the way.