Blind Flight into the eHealth World? Deficits in the education of health professionals hamper process of professionalization. Contribution to the HoGe conference 2018 „Digital learning and teaching“ / Blindflug in die eHealth-Welt? Bildungsdefizite machen Professionalisierungsbemühungen der Gesundheitsberufe zunichte. Beitrag zur HoGe–Tagung 2018 „Digitales Lernen und Lehren“

Educational strategies often derive from ideas of eminent founders. They convey traditional conceptions of good practice and professional identity. However, the environment changes dramatically. Megatrends such as multimorbidity, staff shortage, claims for outcome proofs, expectations of the Millennials, and also digitalization produce slow but steady efects. Yet, the question if education adequately tackles the challenges is avoided. Strategy papers show that arrangements and instruments have been adapted, but not contents.

Deficits are visible primarily in facing the digital transformation which goes along with the implementation of industrial management models. Staf shortage and rising demands ease the introduction of digital assistants and robots also in Europe. Those entering a health profession shall have androids as colleagues. One should, therefore, not expect that conventional concepts about caregiving as exclusive human relation building will persist. In addition, professional may experience a hurtful transition from evidence-based to algorithm-based practice.

Discussions about digital transformation are strikingly lopsided. Efficiency, cost containment and safety are prominent arguments, some also promise more time for patients. Besides the aspect of being replaced, it is not asked what happens to the individuals and professionals. One could e. g. ask in which way artificial intelligence shapes human interaction and professional practice, participation, self-determination, patient orientation, therapeutic strategies and adherence. Instead of improving skills for tablets and tools, education should ask how professions and professionals can adequately be prepared to co-work with machines which may take decisions and conduct processes, and which may be considered more reliable colleagues by employers.