Flexible Training
How can we ensure that healthcare professionals can continue to develop their skills and have sufficient opportunities for career progression? And how can we make the best use of healthcare professionals’ skills so that we can meet the rising demand for care? The solution lies in flexible training and, consequently, the flexible deployment of specialist nurses and medical support staff.
To take flexible training for these healthcare professionals to the next level, the ‘Realising Flexible Training’ programme has been launched by UMCNL and the Dutch Association of Hospitals (NVZ). The programme focuses on updating the vision and architecture of the flexible training system and on the further development of the content of the EPAs (Entrustable Professional Activities). EPAs are the characteristic professional activities that make up the day-to-day work of a healthcare professional. This results in a flexible system of learning and development pathways, making it easier to respond to the needs of the professional and to the changing care demands of healthcare organisations.
In addition to the further development of EPAs, the ‘Realising Flexible Training’ programme focuses on the enabling conditions for flexible training. We advise on the adaptation of guidelines for healthcare professionals so that these are based on flexible training and working practices. Furthermore, the programme focuses, for example, on an action plan for the nationwide further development of specialist healthcare education and a plan setting out the conditions for ICT links between healthcare and training organisations and the College for Healthcare Education (CZO).
EPA FLEX Research
Through EPA FLEX Research, a nationwide study is being conducted into the effects of EPA-focused training in nursing and medical support (further) education programmes. The study focuses on the contribution of this form of training to flexible learning, career development and the employability of healthcare professionals. This will generate scientific insights that support the further development and underpinning of flexible learning.