Australian statewide virtual care competency-based education framework for the healthcare workforce: a Delphi study

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to establish shared interprofessional competencies across health professions that promote education, communication, and teamwork, preparing the virtual care workforce to work collaboratively with the patient and their carers, family members, and communities to improve health outcomes. A modified, two-round Delphi process was undertaken with an interprofessional panel selected from the public health sector workforce across one Australian state. Sixty-nine panelists participated in Round 1 and 40 panelists participated in Round 2. Fifty-eight competencies across seven domains were established to support an interprofessional approach to virtual care provision: compliance, professional practice, patient safety, communication, interprofessional collaboration, patient assessment and care planning/delivery/coordination. This virtual care education framework may assist different health disciplines to develop, revise or map new or existing undergraduate or postgraduate education programs or design professional development activities. Drawing upon the expertise of a broad range of health professionals in its development, this education framework focuses on improving interprofessional collaboration in virtual care settings.