Implementing innovative care models in European countries: What are the implications for health and care workforce planning and training?

Objective
This policy brief is one of a new series to meet the needs of policy-makers and health system managers. The aim is to develop key messages to support evidence informed policy-making and the editors will continue to strengthen the series by working with authors to improve the consideration given to policy options and  implementation.

Methods
For this policy brief we selected seven innovative care  models that are being implemented in various European countries from our previous and ongoing scientific work on integrated care. To describe these models and their implications for the health and care workforce, we used key publications that we were already familiar with and additional publications retrieved through searching through the references and citations in these publications. Where available, we relied on scoping and systematic literature reviews as well as on key publications of renowned international organizations including the World Health Organization, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and publications from previous and 
current actions (co-)funded by the European Commission. We did not apply a structured, systematic literature search. For the sections on health and care workforce planning and training, additional sources were used from country informants participating in the Joint Action HEROES initiative. 

Key messages 
Using planning and forecasting to respond to future health care workforce (HCWF) needs is central to a health system’s ability to meet the challenges of population ageing and workforce shortages. This is one of a set of three policy briefs that reflect the evidence collected for the HEROES project. These briefs cover:

• how forecasting and planning can support innovative care models;
• data and tools for forecasting and planning; and
• making forecasting and planning sustainable through institutionalization.