A quarter of healthcare professionals lack the right credentials

Almost a quarter (23%) of Dutch healthcare professionals do not hold the diplomas they need to do their jobs. That is one of the main findings from recent research by adaptive learning specialist Drillster (opens in new tab). The survey covered more than 1,000 people working in critical roles across sectors such as healthcare, education, and public transport. Among healthcare professionals, 69 percent admit that mistakes are made in daily practice because essential knowledge is missing. Twenty-three percent even acknowledge that incorrect actions on the job have led to physical incidents.

Overconfidence in knowledge levels

Despite these numbers, healthcare workers rate themselves highly: nearly everyone (95%) claims their operational knowledge is good or even excellent. Remarkably, 59 percent are convinced they can do their job well even when their knowledge is not fully up to standard.

Continuous learning is essential

Healthcare professionals need the right knowledge and skills on demand, which calls for structured training and refresher learning. Yet because regulations change frequently, programmes can quickly fall out of date. In healthcare, 15 percent of courses are already considered outdated. On top of that, a third of healthcare staff struggle to keep their knowledge current. Organisations appear to focus more on ticking the compliance boxes than on the substance of learning. Forty-four percent of employees say simply showing up in person or online is enough to pass a course.

Marco van Sterkenburg, CEO at Drillster, explains: "If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that healthcare is vital and that we should take extra care of the people who keep this critical sector running. Now we see that a significant group is not fully certified, it is time for employers to help professionals stay competent in an efficient way. The focus must be on continuous learning, repetition, and application of knowledge and skills. That is how you make sure people are genuinely proficient in practice, instead of merely authorised on paper thanks to a certificate or test."

https://www.nationalezorggids.nl/zorgpersoneel/nieuws/67707-kwart-zorgprofessionals-beschikt-niet-over-juiste-papieren.html