How can Virtual Wards Empower and Support the Workforce?
Virtual wards offer a unique opportunity for the health workforce to learn and develop new skills and competencies, such as digital literacy, data analysis, remote communication, and patient engagement. These skills are not only essential for delivering virtual wards, but also for adapting to the changing needs and expectations of the health system and the population.
Virtual wards also provide a platform for the health workforce to share and exchange knowledge and best practices, both within and across disciplines and organisations. By working in multidisciplinary and interprofessional teams, the health workforce can learn from each other’s expertise and experience, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
To facilitate learning and development, the health workforce needs to have access to appropriate training, education, and support resources, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, mentoring, and coaching. These resources should be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the health workforce, and be available at the point of need and in a convenient and accessible format.
Collaboration and coordination
Virtual wards enable the health workforce to collaborate and coordinate more effectively and efficiently, by using digital tools and platforms that facilitate information sharing, communication, and decision making. These tools and platforms can help the health workforce to access and update patient records, monitor and track patient progress, communicate and consult with colleagues and patients, and manage and allocate tasks and resources.
Virtual wards also promote a more integrated and holistic approach to patient care, by bringing together different health professionals and services, such as primary care, community care, social care, mental health, and pharmacy. This can help to ensure that the patient receives the right care, at the right time, and in the right place, and that their physical, mental, and social needs are met.
To enable collaboration and coordination, the health workforce needs to have access to reliable and secure digital infrastructure, such as broadband, wifi, devices, software, and data. They also need to have clear and consistent protocols and standards, such as data governance, privacy, consent, and quality assurance, that ensure the safety and quality of virtual wards.
Flexibility and autonomy
Virtual wards offer more flexibility and autonomy for the health workforce, by allowing them to work remotely and independently, and to adjust their working hours and patterns according to their personal and professional needs and preferences. This can help to improve the work-life balance and wellbeing of the health workforce, and to reduce stress, burnout, and turnover.
Virtual wards also empower the health workforce to take more ownership and responsibility for their work, and to exercise more creativity and innovation in delivering patient care. They can also provide more opportunities for the health workforce to engage and interact with patients and their families or carers, and to build trust and rapport with them.
To support flexibility and autonomy, the health workforce needs to have access to adequate and appropriate resources, such as equipment, supplies, and transport, that enable them to work remotely and independently. They also need to have clear and realistic expectations and goals, and regular feedback and recognition, that motivate and reward them for their work.
If you’d like to learn more about how Sidqam helps provide a modular and tailored virtual wards solution, feel free to reach out to one of our team or book a demo today and learn more about our software solutions for senior living, learning disability and remote care environments.