Abstract
Background: Integrated care requires effective collaboration among healthcare professionals across sectors to meet diverse patient needs. Recognizing the essential role of targeted training in fostering integrated care, the Portuguese Association for Integrated Care (PAFIC) conducted an online needs assessment to health and care professionals. The goal was to identify key training needs felt by the professionals related to Integrated care.
Methods: PAFIC’s structured questionnaire assessed the perceived training needs of professionals (n=275) in integrated care, focusing on values, instruments, planning and collaborative skills and data analysis. Data were collected between August and September 2024, providing insights into the types of training and competencies considered most valuable.
Results: Findings reveal strong demand for training in the basic concepts of Integrated care (33%), segmentation and risk stratification (26%) and change management (23%). Other topics mentioned were health and organizational literacy, value-based care, and collaborative engagement with municipalities and other key entities in preventive health. Respondents emphasized the importance of practical knowledge for enhancing efficiency, reducing care fragmentation, and improving health outcomes.
Interactive workshops was the prefered method of training (36%), followed by training by modules (21%) and mentoring programes (14%).
Expected outcomes from training include enhanced resource management, reduced hospitalizations, and a foundation for innovative, evidence-based strategies.
Conclusion: The needs assessment underscores the critical role of collaborative training in advancing integrated care. By addressing specific training gaps, PAFIC seeks to empower professionals to build a sustainable, patient-centered healthcare system in Portugal, fostering cross-sector partnerships to improve preventive health and continuity of care.