Study launched on the availability of healthcare professionals in the event of a disruption

The study, funded by the NESA and carried out by Åbo Akademi University, seeks to identify people who have an education in health care but who are currently working in roles where the focus is not on direct care work or diagnostic work, i.e. clinical work. For example, the person may have retired from the healthcare sector, changed their field of work or moved on to other roles in the healthcare sector, or they may be an unemployed jobseeker, an expatriate Finn or an international professional who has worked or completed a traineeship in Finland.

The study will provide information on the potential for increasing the number of trained healthcare personnel in the event of a large-scale and severe disruption, where the need for personnel is high and the continuity of healthcare services must be ensured. The data for the study will be collected through a survey. Based on the responses, the study will assess the readiness, ability and motivation of those with an education in health care to take up clinical work if necessary.

The study will also examinethe legal issues involved in the establishment and maintenance of a voluntary register.

“There is a widely shared understanding in Finland of the current security situation and the importance of the work of healthcare personnel in the event of a disruption. This study will make visible the willingness and readiness of trained personnel to participate in work in the event of various disruptions,” says Doctoral Candidate Marjukka Honkanen from Åbo Akademi University.

The crisis resilience of society does not come about on its own

In the development of the continuity of operations and security of supply, it is essential to take into account the sufficient availability of skilled and capable healthcare and social welfare personnel.

“I see this as a positive opportunity for those who want to make their skills available to the healthcare system when needed. At the NESA, we encourage businesses that are critical to security of supply to ensure that they have a sufficient number of capable personnel available in the event of disruptions. This study seeks solutions for scaling up healthcare personnel nationwide in the event of a severe disruption,” says Preparedness Specialist Susanna Saarimaa from the NESA.

The deterioration of the security environment also makes it necessary to prepare for severe and protracted crisis situations. A pandemic, for example, can also temporarily create a need for a larger number of healthcare professionals. The preparedness of public authorities, businesses, non-governmental organisations and citizens is important to ensure that society and businesses can continue to function and work in times of crisis.

The study will be carried out in multidisciplinary cooperation with public, private and third sector operators.

Link to the survey: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/F89BE53278165D40

Enquiries:

Susanna Saarimaa, Preparedness Specialist at the NESA, susanna.saarimaa@nesa.fi, tel. +358 (0)29 505 1482

Marjukka Honkanen, Doctoral Candidate at Åbo Akademi University, marjukka.honkanen@abo.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 582 1928