Health workforce training is still largely rooted in outdated 20th-century paradigms that prioritize professionalization over patient-focused care. This is evident in the paradox of longer training times coinciding with workforce shortages, limited career paths for paraprofessionals, and inefficient training models that reduce service capacity.
The proposed model for 21st-century health workforce training includes:
- Clinical Setting-Based Training: Training should be integrated into clinical settings and supported by university training, rather than the current model where clinical practice supports academic learning.
- Milestone-Based Training: Training should focus on achieving specific competencies rather than being defined by time.
- Para-Professional Career Pathways: Career pathways should allow trainees to earn qualifications upon achieving certain competencies, enabling them to enter the workforce with usable credentials.
This model leverages existing technology and clinical infrastructure, offering potential for significant economies of scale and increased clinical service capacity. It ensures that clinical training resources contribute to healthcare delivery, addressing the unsustainability of current training models and better preparing the workforce for the demands of the 21st century.
Reference: Nancarrow S, Moran A and Graham I. (2013) Australian Health Review, 10.1071, AH13158.