Lifelong learning among healthcare professionals in public hospitals: Historical analysis and multiple case studies in Morocco

¹ Cadi Ayyad University (ENCG), Marrakech, Morocco
² Ibn Tofail University (ENCG), Kenitra, Morocco
³ National School of Public Health (ENSP), Rabat, Morocco
⁴ Ministry of Health and Social Protection (DHSA), Rabat, Morocco

Abstract

The Moroccan public hospital is crucial in providing healthcare, and its mission is to improve the population’s health. It is currently in a conclusive phase, given its decisive role in the success of the ambitious overhaul. In this sense, human resources are a crucial foundation, as they guarantee quality and safety of care. Indeed, the continuous upgrading of skills is a real challenge for healthcare workers, among other things, because their practice must meet the evolving requirements of the health system and be in line with the population’s specific needs. Lifelong learning for healthcare workers is a crucial issue. This study aims to identify the place of lifelong learning among health professionals in Moroccan public hospitals. The results indicate that all healthcare professionals interviewed know the importance of training to provide quality and safe care. However, only a quarter of them understands lifelong learning as a concept. Moreover, several lifelong learning practices are concrete and implemented despite certain obstacles. There is now a clear need to continue the historical process of improving the quality of training for healthcare workers by building an explicit system that focuses on lifelong learning while integrating a knowledge management approach. This research provides a good and more accurate overview of lifelong learning among healthcare workers. It also initiates reflection and debate on health professionals’ need for lifelong learning, and it’s a real opportunity to raise awareness about structuring lifelong professional training while integrating a knowledge management approach.