EHealth solutions to regional shortages in the health workforce

Abstract

Abstract Background Healthcare systems are facing significant challenges, from demographics, shortage of health professionals to increasing costs that are associated with increasing demand. New technologies are thought to be a solution to these problems. However, the question is if the digitalization of healthcare will mitigate these problems and the shortage of health professionals in Europe. Methods This study provides a scoping review on existing health digital services aiming to cope with health professional shortage in Europe. The main challenges, from workforce performance, services quality, patient-interaction to technology use are addressed. The databases of Pubmed and Ebsco were searched. Results 38 papers were selected and analysed addressing eHealth with impact on the workforce performance. It highlights the challenges associated with the digitalization of healthcare, the implementation of digital services, considering the design online service, and the impact of digitalization on healthcare workforce performance. An overview of the major effects of transformative technologies (e.g. eHealth services, Internet of Things solutions, Artificial Intelligence) on the healthcare workforce are addressed. Moreover, what are the major implications of technological change for future skill needs and competences of the public health workforce? Are there any reliable projections on how technologies will change the structure of the labour market for health professionals? And to what extent is the workforce equipped to adapt to the changes? Conclusions Proper digitalization of healthcare will enable changes in the paradigm of healthcare delivery as well as in the mechanism for patients’ participation and engagement. Sustainable implementation of eHealth is an important opportunity to address health workforce shortage but it is not enough.