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Regulating the health workforce in Europe: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panteli, Dimitra; Maier, Claudia B.
  • Panteli D; Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623, Berlin, Germany. pantelid@obs.who.int.
  • Maier CB; European Observatory On Health Systems and Policies, Place Victor Horta 10/30, 1060, Brussels, Belgium. pantelid@obs.who.int.
Hum Resour Health ; 19(1): 80, 2021 07 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1304406
ABSTRACT
In the European free movement zone, various mechanisms aim to harmonize how the competence of physicians and nurses is developed and maintained to facilitate the cross-country movement of professionals. This commentary addresses these mechanisms and discusses their implications during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing lessons for future policy. It argues that EU-wide regulatory mechanisms should be reviewed to ensure that they provide an adequate foundation for determining competence and enabling health workforce flexibility during health system shocks. Currently, EU regulation focuses on the automatic recognition of the primary education of physicians and nurses. New, flexible mechanisms should be developed for specializations, such as intensive or emergency care. Documenting new skills, such as the ones acquired during rapid training in the pandemic, in a manner that is comparable across countries should be explored, both for usual practice and in light of outbreak preparedness. Initiatives to strengthen continuing education and professional development should be supported further. Funding under the EU4Health programme should be dedicated to this endeavour, along with revisiting the scope of necessary skills following the experience of COVID-19. Mechanisms for cross-country sharing of information on violations of good practice standards should be maintained and strengthened to enable agile reactions when the need for professional mobility becomes urgent.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Professional Competence / Education, Continuing / COVID-19 / Health Workforce / International Cooperation Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00624-w

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Professional Competence / Education, Continuing / COVID-19 / Health Workforce / International Cooperation Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00624-w