The purpose of our research is not to predict technological developments, but to identify possible areas of change, and to consider the implications for the workforce.

The aim of this report is to stimulate thinking around the impact of future technologies on the health and social care workforce. It provides a starting point to consider factors that may influence the requirements, numbers and proportions of the future workforce, which may in turn stimulate changes in education and training, multidisciplinary working or priorities and practices.

Further research will include greater analysis of the trends and drivers identified in this report, and we will work with expert stakeholders to examine the workforce implications in more detail.

Methodology

The research to date has been produced from an initial web-scanning exercise and documentary analysis to identify the key trends and technology areas in health and social care. This included a literature scan across 28 selected initiatives or agencies from the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment.