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The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan has been focused on addressing the critical supply and demand issues within the nation’s nursing workforce. Premier Chen Chien-jen, in a report presented by MOHW, emphasised the mounting challenges faced by Taiwan’s nursing staff due to the ageing population, increased healthcare demand, and the unique workplace environment issues intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These factors have led to a substantial mismatch in the supply and demand of nursing professionals. To maintain the stability of the nation’s healthcare system, he stressed the urgency of creating a safer and more reasonable work environment for nurses.
In response to these challenges, the premier unveiled a comprehensive set of 12 strategies devised by the MOHW. These strategies aim to revitalise and strengthen the nursing workforce and ultimately preserve the stability of Taiwan’s medical care system.
Key components of these strategies include promoting regulations for more reasonable nurse-patient ratios across all shifts, incentivising hospitals to achieve these ratios, increasing pay for night-shift nursing staff, recognising and awarding exemplary nurse-friendly workplaces, promoting integrated inpatient care programs, developing clinical mentorship systems for new nurses, and expanding nurse training programs.
These methods are intended to enhance the working environment, pay, and benefits for nursing personnel, ultimately reviving the industry and the healthcare system.
Taiwan’s healthcare system has been celebrated worldwide for its efficiency, accessibility, and comprehensive coverage. Central to its remarkable success is a robust digitalisation strategy that has played a pivotal role in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the healthcare system. The digitalisation efforts have empowered Taiwan to tackle numerous healthcare challenges and offer high-quality healthcare services to its citizens.
One of the most remarkable outcomes of digitalisation in Taiwan’s healthcare system is the seamless exchange of healthcare information. Digitalisation has considerable positive effects on the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which covers almost the whole population. It enables healthcare practitioners to effectively exchange medical records and data, fostering continuity of treatment and lowering the chance of medical errors, all of which contribute to an improvement in the quality of healthcare as a whole.
Another notable achievement is the extensive use of telemedicine, which has boosted access to healthcare services for patients, particularly those in remote or rural areas. The necessity for in-person visits is decreased by giving patients the option to interact with medical professionals online, making healthcare more accessible and patient-focused.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have transformed the landscape of healthcare management in Taiwan. These systems provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive access to patients’ medical histories, test results, and treatment plans. This not only raises the quality of care but also reduces redundancy in medical tests and treatments, contributing to cost savings and a more efficient healthcare system.
Digitalisation has also allowed Taiwan to harness healthcare data effectively, aiding in epidemiological studies, resource allocation, and healthcare policy improvements. It assists in the early identification of disease outbreaks and enhances the management of chronic diseases, ultimately promoting public health.
Cost control has been a priority in Taiwan’s healthcare system, and digitalisation has played a crucial role in achieving this. The healthcare system can closely monitor and control costs through data analysis and insights, ensuring financial sustainability and reducing the risk of fiscal crises in the healthcare sector.
With the advancements in digitalisation, Taiwan has also recognised the importance of data security and privacy in healthcare. Stringent regulations and safeguards are in place to protect patient data, preserving public trust and the stability of the healthcare system.
