As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Health Professionals and Digital Team Skills Development (H-PASS) project, it is a fitting moment to reflect on our journey and achievements over the past year. This project, a collaborative effort supported by the EU4Health programme, will go a long way in helping health professionals across Europe acquire the vital transversal and digital skills needed to navigate and excel in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

From the start, H-PASS has aimed to address critical gaps in digital and team skills in the healthcare sector. Recognising the transformative impact of technology on healthcare, our project focuses on equipping healthcare workers with the tools and knowledge needed to adapt to new digital environments. By fostering these skills, we are helping to create a resilient and future-ready healthcare workforce that can deliver high-quality care in the face of unprecedented challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cornerstone of H-PASS is our comprehensive training programme. This programme has been designed with a holistic approach, incorporating various modules and activities that cover a wide range of skills, from digital literacy to team building and leadership development.

Our project spans six diverse countries, each with specific needs across different target groups, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Navigating these complexities has been both challenging and rewarding, providing invaluable lessons and driving us towards innovative solutions.

Harmonizing these differences while ensuring compliance with local standards required planning, dialogue with national regulatory bodies, and a flexible approach to program design.

To mitigate these issues, we employed a blended learning approach, combining online modules with in-person sessions where feasible. Virtual reality components will be also part of the programme.

What is next?

We are just stepping into the development of the training materials led by INHWE. We are excited and waiting for the work to start at the joint interim meeting and Train the Trainer workshop in Cyprus.

The interim meeting will give us the time to learn about the VR equipment that will play a key role in our training programs.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the future possibilities that H-PASS holds. I am proud of what we have accomplished together. The journey of H-PASS is a testament to the power of collaboration and the collective effort to drive positive change in healthcare. Thank you for being part of this journey.