“Key” Shaped Professionals for the 21st Century: A Sustainable Approach for Building the Health and Social Care Workforce,

<div> <p>In the 21st century, the convergence of technology and healthcare has altered approaches to health and healthcare delivery. Health Service Managers are responsible for leading and provisioning workforces to deliver services to the community. Retention of a stable, healthy, adaptable and skilled workforce remains challenging for many reasons, including the nature of the work, volatility of the climate and other socio-political drivers, remuneration and complexity. We know that a fit-for-purpose workforce is essential to delivering safe high-quality care. </p> </div> <div> <p>Successful healthcare workforces require known and unknown skills and knowledge as technologies emerge. Future healthcare professionals require a range of skills, including expertise in their specific discipline, knowledge of digital health, leadership abilities, adaptability, and capacity to collaborate across different disciplines, among other essential qualifications. Adapting to improvement is essential to navigating careers, linking personal interests with demand for new skill sets prompted by technology. Career advancement can help shape pathways for healthcare professionals by aligning service delivery needs with individual strengths and leveraging technology to revolutionise healthcare. Advancements like artificial intelligence and personalised medicine necessitate a shift in career development. Frameworks delineate digital health competencies—ranging from expertise and critical thinking to communication, ethics, cultural sensitivity, leadership, and continuous professional growth. Health professional associations have made progress in defining the capability and competencies frameworks for embedding digital health in organisational, managerial, and clinical settings. While frameworks describe digital health capabilities, core skills, knowledge, and behaviours, what constitutes a successful and flourishing healthcare career remains insufficiently defined. </p> </div> <div> <p>Our presentation summarises research findings, shedding light on a paradigm shaping and nurturing healthcare workforce to present sustainable solutions to current and future challenges. This research aligns with the conference's themes of sustainability and workforce development, answering the question: 'What constitutes the key to unlocking the potential of health professional workforces in the 21st century?'</p> </div><p></p>