The H-PASS project pilot training in Greece, coordinated by the University of Crete, confirmed a strong demand for upskilling among healthcare professionals. Despite facing logistical challenges due to a large increase in applications and managing a varied audience, the pilot showed the importance of its transversal and digital skills curriculum.

Recruitment for the Greek pilot attracted over 600 healthcare professionals who expressed interest in enrollment. This volume required substantial communication work from the organizers side. To meet the demand, the University of Crete team decided to carry out a second training period in Autumn.

A challenge during delivery was tailoring the approach to different trainee profiles. The audience varied in terms of professional specialty, educational level, familiarity with technology, and eagerness for interactivity, requiring significant effort from the trainers.

While the feedback of the participants was consistently positive, the evaluation surveys highlighted several educational modules for their impact:

• The Communication- and teamwork-focused module showed the highest levels of engagement and was praised for the “value of its content”.
• The Quality improvement-centered module created strong conversations during synchronous training. Trainees in decision-making related positions found it useful.
• The Data in healthcare module was a choice for reported improvement in digital skills. As cyber safety was a primary focus point, the module helped participants enhance their ability to navigate safely in the digital environment.
• The VR module was mentioned as a novelty by participants who attended in person.

The training’s value became clear in moments where participants immediately applied the lessons:

• After a synchronous session, three or four participants remained online to discuss how simple steps and digital solutions could change processes in the Greek health system.
• A trainee reached out for help outside the training because she faced a credentials-associated issue and worried about cyber fraud. This showed the direct applicability of the course content to the daily life of the healthcare workforce.

Advice for Future Implementers

Based on their experience, the University of Crete team offers recommendations for other countries planning similar training:

• Early implementation of a recruitment strategy is advised. Brief interviews with applicants could assess motivation.
• Inclusion of at least one dedicated technical/IT expert is recommended to provide support and facilitate the trainers’ work.
• Preparations prior to each synchronous training are important, as these sessions help in “bringing the pieces together”.

The Greek pilot confirmed a clear need for the H-PASS training content. While the number of interested professionals presented logistical issues, the direct application of skills confirms the program’s value. The experience provides lessons for future implementation, emphasizing the need for robust planning to meet the widespread interest in essential skills among the healthcare workforce.