Self-paced systematic leadership training for specialty trainees across all specialties

Abstract Systematic leadership training for specialising doctors and dentists is decree-mandated for all specialties in Finland. At the University of Helsinki, we have developed an e-learning programme relevant to all specialties and addressing nationally agreed key competencies. Future specialists need leadership skills to better work towards health system goals in the changing global environment of increasing costs, digitalisation and health worker shortages. The 2-year programme is self-paced and based on interactive e-learning with face-to-face and webinar components. It covers self-management, teamwork, process management and quality improvement skills as well as health system knowledge, including themes on diversity, conflicts, patient safety and economics. The objective is to strengthen trainee understanding of their role in the health system, and to improve their reflection skills. Do trainees develop key competencies? Does the training support continuous professional development? Trainee feedback and self-evaluation strongly suggests that a vast majority of trainees develop the key competencies. In both formal feedback and formative reflective essays, trainees consistently highlight that interaction with trainees in other specialties, online and face-to-face, improves their health system understanding and professional growth. Trainees also indicate that reflection and the self-paced e-learning programme format, promote a mentality of continuous professional development. Creating a specialist workforce that possesses leadership and employee skills, engages in continuous professional development and understands their role in the health system they work in, is likely to have a major impact on population health through a better functioning health system. The innovation is training all specialties together, allowing trainees to interact with each other, and offering the programme as self-paced to meet the realities of trainees that work full-time and out-of-hours. Key messages • Leadership training for specialty trainees improves their understanding of health systems, supports them in achieving health system goals and promotes their continuous professional development. • Leadership training should capture trainees of all specialties and facilitate their interaction to promote peer support, social learning and to gain a deeper understanding of the health system.