Chairs: Prof Maria Cordina & Bernice Azzopardi Meli
Mission and objectives
Digital technologies are reshaping professional roles, care pathways and the organisation of health services. Yet the competences required across the health workforce remain fragmented across professions and settings. A recently published systematic review synthesised 108 records and identified an evidence-informed architecture comprising Leadership and Procedural competences and Enabling capabilities, with proficiency descriptors for procedural practice [1]. This evidence-informed set of competences and capabilities would benefit from stakeholder input and review across professional and health system contexts.
This workshop will convene an interdisciplinary and international group to collaboratively explore the clarity, relevance and contextual applicability of the proposed domains, sub-domains and categories. Through structured appraisal, cross-professional discussion and knowledge exchange, participants will identify potential refinements and contextual considerations. The workshop will not claim validation, representativeness or consensus.
The objectives are to:
- Collaboratively assess whether the proposed domains, sub-domains and terminology are understandable across professions, sectors and health-system contexts.
- Identify omissions, overlaps, ambiguities and context-sensitive elements through structured interdisciplinary discussion.
- Exchange perspectives on how professional roles, levels of responsibility, infrastructure and digital maturity may shape interpretation and application.
Participants will gain an overview of the evidence-informed competence and capability structure, practical experience of considering its application across diverse workforce contexts, and an opportunity to contribute to its further development.
Intended audience
The workshop is intended for health practitioners, health professions educators, health system managers, policymakers, professional and regulatory bodies, digital health practitioners, researchers and representatives of patient or community organisations. Participation from different professions, career stages, geographic regions and resource settings is encouraged.
Expected outcomes
The workshop will produce:
- A structured record of suggested refinements to the domains, sub-domains, categories and terminology.
- Identification of unclear or contested areas and the contexts in which different interpretations arise.
- Recommendations on the stakeholder perspectives required in future consultation.
Findings will be reported as exploratory stakeholder feedback and will not represent formal consensus or validation.
Format and schedule
| Session | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome and overview | 5 min | Introduce the workshop purpose, format and participants. |
| Abstract presentations | 30 min | Up to three selected contributors present complementary research, practice or policy perspectives. Each receives approximately 8 minutes to present and 2 minutes for clarification. |
| Briefing | 10 min | Present the systematic review findings and proposed domains, sub-domains and categories. |
| Individual feedback | 10 min | Participants identify one strength, one concern and one missing consideration before group discussion. |
| Breakout appraisal | 15 min | Groups share proposed refinements, rationales and affected contexts. |
| Cross-review | 10 min | Review and build on another group’s observations. |
| Summarise and close | 10 min | Discuss findings, summarise the workshop outputs. |
Participant engagement
Participants will receive a concise map of the proposed structure, a glossary of key terms and structured appraisal sheets. Feedback will be recorded as a proposed refinement, its rationale and the context in which it applies. Small-group allocation will mix professional and geographic perspectives where possible. Spoken contributions, written responses and anonymous digital polling will support inclusive participation.
Speakers
Bernice Azzopardi Meli (Co-chair and facilitator)
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta & WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Professionals Education and Research
School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco, USA
Reference
- Azzopardi Meli B, Bowman C, Camilleri Sacco M, et al. Digital competences for the health workforce: a systematic review. Int J Med Inform. 2026;222:106702. doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2026.106702.