The “Health Professionals’ and the ‘DigitAl team’ SkillS advancement” (H-PASS) project started on 1 May 2023 and will run for 36 months until 30 April 2026. 

As a further continuation of previous European projects aimed at foreseeing and strategically planning health workforce’s (HWF) needs, and coordinated by OKFŐ, H-PASS aims to support EU Member States in strengthening the resilience of healthcare professionals and overcoming challenges in healthcare delivery due to inadequate or insufficient skills, particularly in the digital domain.

The focus of the project is on training HWF to understand the digital transformation of healthcare systems. This transformation may imply new methods of care delivery, changes in clinical pathways, new professional responsibilities, and new relationships with patients. Technology uptake inevitably requires to upskill healthcare teams, improve competency mixes, redefine professional roles, and update key skills.

H-PASS will design and implement a comprehensive training programme with carefully developed specific modules, including synchronous and asynchronous activities, complemented by dedicated materials and tools. This programme will be implemented in six pilot sites in Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania and Romania. Its main objective is to enhance the transversal skills of clinical staff and to provide health professionals with updated knowledge, especially in the digital context. Activities will primarily target doctors, nurses and pharmacists. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on “train the trainer” initiatives to facilitate effective change management and ensure a more efficient digital transformation of healthcare delivery.

The pilot sites will extensively test and validate the new training programme and their learning environments. Their feedback and insights will help to further refine the programme and ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.

The H-PASS project is a multi-stakeholder collaborative effort and is expected to have a significant impact on enhancing the skills of health professionals, improving quality of care, and fostering digital innovation in healthcare systems.