WHO/Europe will host a webinar on 6 June to explore how the work of health and care professionals can be optimized with data and digital health. This is the 8th webinar in the Decoding Data and Digital Health series, which addresses digital health topics of importance to countries in the WHO European Region.
A digital lifeline
The health-care sector globally faces numerous challenges, including serious workforce shortages amid the threats of new disease outbreaks. Although the WHO European Region has the highest density of health-care workers out of all WHO regions, many countries still report shortages. Moreover, the workforce is ageing, while new professionals are largely outnumbered by those finishing their career. The challenges are exacerbated by the growing rates of burnout and job dissatisfaction among health workers, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to support and invest in the health and care workforce.
The WHO/Europe report “Health and care workforce in Europe: time to act” noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing issues, while also highlighting new challenges. In 2023, Member States of the European Region adopted and signed the Bucharest Declaration on the Health and Care Workforce, committing to increase investment in health workers’ education, development and protection.
Digitalization presents an unparalleled opportunity to address many challenges faced by health workers and health systems. For example, digital tools can automate administrative tasks, unburdening health professionals and enabling them to spend more time with patients. Technology can also provide health and care workers with immediate access to patient data, including medical histories, test results and treatment plans. This facilitates more informed decision-making and personalized care. In addition, digital tools can help in managing staff schedules, tracking work hours and analysing workforce deployment across different locations or departments, optimizing resource allocation and efficiency.
The “Framework for action on the health and care workforce in the WHO European Region 2023–2030” recognizes the important role digitalization plays in supporting health and care professionals. The “Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030” aims to enhance country capacities to govern digital transformation in the health sector and advance digital health literacy.
The webinar
The 1-hour event will convene international experts to share insights, strategies, challenges and practical solutions to optimizing the health and care workforce through data and digital health. The panel of experts will explore the nuances of digital transformation with a focus on workforce resilience, efficiency and quality, as well as skill enhancement.
The webinar will be hosted in English and Russian. It is open to the public, including digital health developers, health and care workers, policy-makers, researchers and representatives of advocacy groups. Please use the registration link if you are interested in taking part.
The Decoding Data and Digital Health webinar series is supported by the European Commission (Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety) through the action “Supporting Member States in the WHO European Region in strengthening health information systems and boosting health data governance”.