Rapid technology improvements leave the workforce behind

There is a focus on improving technology to aid the treatment, management and administration of healthcare. Technology becomes increasingly complex. This complexity significantly impacts the time it takes to train the full practice team to use technology. It takes less time for new technology to reach the market so the workforce is constantly playing catch-up to ensure the development of skills needed to use the technology.

Proposed workforce impact

• There are new roles developed to operate technology.
• New skills and competencies are needed to operate technology and interpret results.
• More time is spent on continuing professional development in non-clinical areas (e.g. training in use of technology).

Additional research questions

• What are the key technologies currently in development?
• Who are the key players in the health technology market?
• If GPs and other professional staff increasingly need to be technologists, will this be reflected in student/trainee selection criteria?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.