WHO welcomes European Junior Doctors’ new policy on health workforce optimization

The European Junior Doctors' (EJD) Association - a non-state actor in official relations with WHO - has just adopted a new "Policy on Workforce Led Optimization of Healthcare Systems". WHO/Europe welcomes this important development, which marks a pivotal step towards equipping Europe's health systems with the tools they need to meet evolving population and workforce demands.

Health workforce optimization - defined as ensuring the right number of health professionals, with the right skills, working in the right place at the right time - is critical to addressing the current challenges affecting the vast majority of health systems in the WHO European Region. With the Region's population ageing rapidly, European Union projections indicate that to sustain services at current levels, many countries in the Region will need up to 30% more doctors and 33% more nurses by 2071.

The EJD's new policy provides targeted recommendations that resonate strongly with WHO/Europe's "Framework for action on the health and care workforce", which emphasizes evidence-informed policy, better alignment between education and employment and the use of innovative workforce governance models to optimize the existing workforce.

Specifically, it highlights:

• optimizing skill mix and task distribution, including the need to reduce variations in care delivery by adopting and integrating best practices in health care;
• strengthening data systems for workforce planning, supporting accurate supply-demand modelling in line with WHO's "Workload Indicators of staffing need" tool; and
• leveraging digital tools and flexible workforce deployment, reflecting WHO/Europe's ongoing work and guidance on how data and digital health can enhance efficiency and resilience among health-care professionals.

"EJD's policy is an important demonstration of how frontline health professionals can lead transformative change," said Dr Cathal Morgan, Technical Officer for Health Workforce and Service Delivery at WHO/Europe. "It underscores that workforce optimization is not just a technical exercise - but a strategic, people-centred response to critical shortages and future system shocks."

Why this matters

• Europe is already feeling the impact. Health systems continue to face critical challenges in attracting and retaining a resilient workforce to meet demand for health and care services. Countries in the Region are concerned about the factors which continue to threaten health systems, such as an ageing workforce, poor mental health support for health professionals and challenges attracting and retaining young people into the health sector.
• Although they have among the highest densities of health-care staff globally, many countries face shortages in rural and special team settings, compounded by ageing workforces and increased migration.
• Evidence shows that optimizing health workforce activities - through improved deployment, targeted training and effective support systems - can improve health outcomes and cost-effectiveness, even without increasing staff numbers. This approach is especially critical in the context of growing financial constraints on health systems.
• WHO fully supports aligned efforts. The EJD policy complements and supports WHO/Europe's ongoing initiatives in this area and serves as inspiration for other professional associations, including those of health and care professionals working more widely, such as nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists, among others, to take similar steps to strengthen optimization efforts.

What this means for action

As part of its Framework for action, unanimously adopted in 2023 by the 53 Member States in the Region, WHO/Europe remains committed to supporting countries in developing evidence-based workforce policies, building digital capacity and enhancing education and regulation systems. The EJD policy adds momentum to these efforts.

"Health-care workers, institutions and governments need to take an active interest in optimization," said Dr Patrick Pihelgas, Chair of the Medical Workforce Committee at EJD. "It all comes down to how well do we use health-care professionals' valuable time and what are we willing to do to take care of their well-being. Health-care workers need to be at the forefront of any optimization initiatives to ensure meaningful change."

WHO/Europe encourages Member States, health professional organizations and other stakeholders in the Region to:

1. review EJD recommendations and integrate them into national workforce planning;
2. invest in competency-based education and continuous professional development aligned with evolving needs;
3. expand data-driven workforce analytics to guide recruitment, retention and deployment; and
4. provide platforms for health professionals, especially emerging practitioners, to bolster leadership in policy design.

"We stand ready to support Europe in making sustainable progress," Dr Morgan added. "Optimizing the health workforce is foundational for achieving universal coverage, health equity and resilient health systems."