On Tuesday, 21st March 2023, EUVECA and BeWell had an excellent opportunity to be part of the panel discussion “Future-proofing health professionals’ skills for the digital transition” in the scope of the European Health Tech Summit at the European Parliament in Brussels. Zoi Mylona, who represented the BeWell project, and Henriette Hansen, who spoke on behalf of EUVECA, emphasised the commonalities and synergies between the two EU projects. The event was co-hosted by MEP Stelios Kympouropoulos and MEP Dennis Radtke.
The panel was held on the upskilling of healthcare professionals for the digital transition. As 2023 is the European Year of Skills, this panel focused on the challenges and opportunities that health professionals face in upgrading their skills and effectively utilising digital tools. The policy event aimed to facilitate dialogue between experts and policymakers, promote collaboration among stakeholders, and ensure that the EU provides a strong and sustainable environment for healthcare professionals during the digital transformation.
BeWell and EUVECA were jointly presented at this event which highlighted megatrends that impact the health ecosystem and the role of healthcare professionals. Among these megatrends, the digital and green transitions were mentioned, and the need for healthcare professionals to develop 21st-century skills in order to adapt to these changes. The BeWell project aims to develop a green and digital skills strategy which will be implemented at local, national, and European levels through the Pact for Skills, and more particularly the Health large-scale partnership (LSP). On the other hand, the EUVECA project seeks to enable EU-wide collaboration among healthcare professionals through a learning and training platform. Henriette Hansen pointed out that “21st-century skills are crucial for success in the healthcare sector. With advances in technology and evolving patient needs, healthcare professionals must be equipped with the necessary skills to provide high-quality care.” Both projects represent important steps towards a more sustainable and future-proof health ecosystem in Europe.
The panel discussion at the European Health Tech Summit provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare professionals in the digital age. The event also underlined the importance of collaboration and dialogue between experts and policymakers to ensure a sustainable and successful healthcare sector in Europe. As we move forward, it will be crucial to continue investing in the development of 21st-century skills for healthcare professionals and to promote green and digital transitions in the sector. EUVECA and BeWell are playing important roles in this effort and will undoubtedly continue to make valuable contributions to the future of healthcare in Europe.
