Preparing a 21st century workforce: Is it time to consider clinically based, competency-based training of health practitioners?
Health workforce training is still largely rooted in outdated 20th-century paradigms that prioritise professionalisation over patient-focused care.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.
A proposed model for health workforce training
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.
Implications for workforce sustainability and service capacity
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.
Evidence insight
Clinically based, competency-focused training models offer a scalable way to expand workforce capacity while maintaining service delivery.
Reference: Nancarrow S, Moran A and Graham I. (2013) Australian Health Review, 10.1071, AH13158.