The role of the future physician: building on shifting sands

Abstract

The role of the future physician in the NHS is of interest to current doctors, patients, policymakers and the wider public. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more clear that the healthcare needs of the population, and the technical and scientific advances with which to solve them, are rapidly evolving and the medical workforce must adapt to these changes to deliver personalised healthcare. This article considers the current challenges that need to be addressed to deliver a future physician-led healthcare service that works for its patients. Key themes are expanded upon, including the changing healthcare workforce, digital and technological innovation, service delivery, complex conditions and changing patient demographics. The impact and challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on these factors are highlighted. Avenues for development are suggested, both in postgraduate medical training and the health service as a whole. These changes will be required to deliver the physicians of the future, imbued with the skills and attributes they will need to provide a high standard of care in the mid-21st century.

A literature survey of the robotic technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Regarding education in the pandemic period, technological developments are predicted to change procedural tasks, both through replacement of skilled practitioners in some fields with automation and robotics and through changes to teaching and training [ 130 ]. Havenga [ 131 ] reported the challenges, opportunities and insights gained from an introductory robotics course during a rapid transition to an online learning environment during the COVID-19 lockdown.…”

Estratégias internacionais de flexibilização da regulação da prática de profissionais de saúde em resposta à pandemia da COVID-19: revisão de escopo

“…A flexibilização de barreiras regulatórias que limitam os escopos de prática de profissionais de saúde tem sido pauta de debate há anos por organizações de saúde e de pesquisa, com foco em otimizar a força de trabalho em saúde, contribuir para a ampliação do acesso a serviços, reduzir os impactos da escassez de profissionais e custos associados à saúde 9,10,11 . Estratégias relacionadas à ampliação de escopos de práticas de profissionais de saúde foram recorrentes na revisão (n = 25), tanto as recomendadas 19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 quanto as adotadas 15,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43 .…”

“…No entanto as leis que regulamentam os escopos de prática variam em termos de extensão das atividades que podem ser realizadas (com ou sem supervisão de médicos), podendo limitar sua atuação, variando entre países e locais. A ampliação de escopos de prática de EPA vem sendo recomendada como estratégia para elevar a capacidade da força de trabalho em saúde durante a pandemia da COVID-19 20,21,23,24 . Aconselha-se redesenhar o escopo existente, ampliando-o de forma a maximizar a contribuição de enfermeiros, permitindo que atuem no máximo de sua licença 24 .…”

Educación médica en tiempos de pandemia por SARS-CoV2

“…Los objetivos de estos ajustes curriculares buscan desarrollar competencias en: coordinación de trabajo en equipo (60), formación continua y autoformación (61), guías para pacientes pluripatológicos, uso de inteligencia artificial. Además, se consideró la relación entre proyecto de vida de los actores educativos y las necesidades del sistema de salud, la flexibilización curricular, ajuste a las competencias según las necesidades (62), regulación del esfuerzo, orientación al logro, automonitorización del proceso de aprendizaje y saber cuándo buscar ayuda (help-seeking) (63).…”