Contextualizing UNIversal HEALth resilience through health professionals re-skilling for digital health services provision - UNIHEAL+

<< Background >>The digitalization of healthcare has long been on the European Agenda to modernize and improve healthcare and resilience across Member States. COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the importance of universal health education as a key element for the resilience of health systems, which can be issued successfully only through training and raising awareness for health professionals. It is in the best interest for health professionals to be reskilled and prepared for adequate digital health services provision and to respond successfully to a health landscape that may see significant disruption due to technological upheavals. The project UNIHEAL+ successfully addresses the needs covered by the ERASMUS 2021 work programme and followed the Council Recommendation on VET: a) adapting vocational education and training to labor market, since UNIHEAL+ includes learning opportunities and work-based context for key competences for health professionals to better address their needs; b) addressing digital transformation through development of digital resilience as UNIHEAL+ brings into core the digital change for the delivery of the health services for the target groups of health professionals.<< Objectives >>a) addressing the needs of the health professionals for further skilling, re- and upskilling, with a specific VET curriculum updated on further needs-centered skills building and adapted to labor market needs b) recognizing the significance of digital health services deriving also from the recent health situation/emergency and the dominance of the ICT context in personal and professional life c) equipping health professionals to better deliver their jobs, by digital health services training, thus improving their use of computational technologies, smart devices, communication media, etc, and, aiding healthcare professionals and their patients manage illnesses, health risks, as well as promoting health and wellbeing d) maximizing potential in their employment through the recognition of skills and qualifications due to the EQF, ECVET & ECTS units e) constructing well-stepped units of training, educational materials, work-based scenarios, guides for the VET educators as well.<< Implementation >>The project applies at all means in its activities the elements of digital education and training, skills and competences development addressing the digital transition, driving innovation in health sciences. The implemented activities are: a) research activities in regards with the target groups, b) production of research and training materials targeting health professionals education on digital health services c) production of guiding and adaptation activities for the VET educators d) accreditation and recognition tools for the professionals capacity validation e) workshops where the UNIHEAL+ outputs and materials were practically presented f) learning, teaching, training activities for the organizations staff capacity building g) communication and dissemination actions targeting individuals and organizations, health professionals, VET educators, training centers; raising awareness actions h) a final European conference.<< Results >>UNIHEAL+ delivered the following: *Short-term results (by completion): a) participants gained a comprehensive VET package including the acquisition, development and cultivation of digital health skills, with simultaneous capabilities of their training recognition and validation, b) VET educators reinforced their task delivery as they have been provided with excellent materials and adaptation guides.*Long-term results (after completion): a) VET sector have been enhanced in regards with the methodologies and delivery of initial and continuing VET context; VET centers are able to adopt the UNIHEAL+ outputs for their trainees education, as an exemplary case also for further VET programs in regards with digital skills education b) health professionals are able to acquire a more permanent capital in regards with the quality in health services provision & delivery; as for participants, they have acquired a set of vital skills in their labor/market life since they have been provided with essential professional skills adapted to the post COVID-19 era and the digital transformation c) EU health system society is now more competitive , more knowledge- skills society oriented and of recognized skills context–due to the universal health solutions and delivery, a ‘culture’ of universal health resilience has successfully been also contextualized and promoted. Additionally, UNIHEAL+ delivered the following tangible results: a) PR1 - The UNIHEAL+ Framework Courses- a completed approach (course/curriculum - design and development): it covers all the content material- knowledge & skills- the health professionals need to acquire in order for them to properly deliver digital health services and solutions. b) PR2 - The Adaptation and Training Guide for UNIHEAL+ Educators (handbook/guidance material): it covers cases and guidance for VET stakeholders empowering them with guidelines and principles on how to utilize the project’s products towards their training delivery, including the axes of differentiation pedagogy. c) PR3 - The eLearning Resources and Digital Tools (Open/online/digital education): it covers the learning environment including the online platform, e-learning courses, and the mobile application; all of them of innovative character, multimedia content, interactive structure. d) PR4 - The UNIHEAL+ Skills Assessment and Recognition Content & Tools (learning/teaching/training material and toolkit): provides the whole initiative with an extra value dimension for the participants skills validation.