DDS-MAP will design and implement a survey of the digital competencies across the European Union to assess the training needs and competencies of healthcare professionals (the first time such an extensive assessment has been undertaken) to inform the development and delivery of a platform of three generic modules that can be adapted to the needs of the multiple disciplines within the health workforce. The adaptation of the generic modules will be achieved through a co-creation process with the relevant stakeholders to inform specific discipline content. A fourth module will promote personal resilience and well-being. In addition to the implementation of a pan-European survey, DDS-MAP has two other unique features – it will employ micro-credentialing to assess and reward skills development in the clinical setting and will utilize virtual and augmented reality as key teaching and assessment technology.
Partners are South East Technological University (Co-ordinator, Ireland), IBK Management Solutions (Germany), University College Dublin (Ireland), University of Maribor (Slovenia), Klaipeda University (Lithuania), University of Osijeck, (Croatia), Medical University Lublin (Poland), Association of Knowledge and Technology Industries – GAIA (Spain), Health Authority Teramo – ASL (Italy), European Association of Service Providers for People with Disabilities (Belgium), EUROFORTIS Society (Latvia), Mutualia Mutual Social Security Collaboration (Spain), Riga Stadina University (Latvia).
DDS-MAP has funding worth €2,477,703.77 of which €1,982, 000 is provided under the EU4Health funding Scheme.
For Klaipeda University, the implementation of this project opens up new opportunities for the development of partnerships, the dissemination of good practices, and the establishment of innovative solutions. At the beginning of this year, the University became the founder of one of the largest medical institutions in Lithuania – Klaipeda University Hospital. The health of a top-level medical service provider focuses on healthcare personnel, their training, and the overall well-being of employees, as well as possessing an innovative scientific and medical resource base. The results of the project will help Klaipeda University and its hospital achieve the latter goals, precisely aimed at improving the qualifications of healthcare workers, developing their skills in the use of digital technologies, and ensuring the synthesis of these both aspects. In addition, Klaipeda University and one of the partners of the DDS-MAP project – Southeast University of Technology (Ireland) – are connected by a partnership in the European University alliance "EU-CONEXUS" (European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability). Participation in the DDS-MAP project will even further strengthen the partnership between these two universities and enable them to achieve comprehensive changes in the context of a smart European University.
