The transversal skills and competencies of health and social care professionals in community-based interprofessional teams: a rapid review

Abstract

The increase in long-term conditions and healthcare costs in Europe requires a strategic approach, prioritizing the establishment of Community-Based Interprofessional Teams (CBIT). Health and social care professionals (HSCP) in community primary care and CBIT require specific transversal skills and competencies (S&C). This rapid review synthesized the essential transversal S&C across European countries and identified corresponding curricula learning objectives. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was adopted to assess quality evidence. Identified S&C were clustered following the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations (ESCO) Framework, which clusters transversal S&C into six groups: Social and Communication, Self-Management, Thinking, Life, Core, and Physical & Manual S&C. Eight qualitative studies met our coherence eligibility criteria. Among ESCO clusters, Social and Communication S&C was emphasized as crucial, encompassing effective communication, team support, collaboration, leadership, and adherence to ethical codes. Self-management S&C highlighted efficient work and a learning-oriented mind-set, while Thinking S&C emphasized information processing, holistic thinking, and planning. Life S&C focused emphasized health-related applications, and Core S&C highlighted digital proficiency. No skills from the Physical and Manual S&C cluster were reported. To classify these S&C in learning objectives, Bloom’s Taxonomy was adopted. Most learning objectives fell under “Procedural Knowledge,” emphasizing understanding “How to do something.” Future studies should explore the benefits of transversal S&C to enhance work in community primary care and CBIT practices.