GLIDE-19: Global lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic: learning from prevention to long-term care
▶Summary
The primary objective of GLIDE-19 was to enhance the preparedness and response capacity of socio-health professionals across Europe for current and future pandemics. The project aimed to develop a...
▶Objectives
The primary objective of GLIDE-19 was to enhance the preparedness and response capacity of socio-health professionals across Europe for current and future pandemics. The project aimed to develop a unified training program to equip healthcare workers with the skills needed to manage COVID-19 at all stages, including prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation. Specifically, GLIDE-19 sought to: - enhance healthcare professionals’ expertise in addressing the physical and psychological effects of COVID-19, offering holistic care that integrates prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies; - increase awareness of the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic, such as burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression, which disproportionately impact healthcare environments; - foster the exchange of European biomedical, psychosocial, and rehabilitative knowledge to promote a standardised, evidence-based approach to pandemic care; - improve digital literacy and critical thinking skills among social and health professionals, enabling them to assess scientific evidence, combat misinformation, and apply credible, up-to-date knowledge to clinical practice.
▶Activities
The GLIDE-19 project executed activities across five Work Packages (WPs) to ensure efficient planning, implementation, and dissemination. - WP1 facilitated seamless collaboration among partners through regular meetings and transparent reporting mechanisms to monitor progress effectively. - WP2 developed a standardized methodology and training course for pandemic care, utilizing scoping reviews, focus groups, and co-design sessions with socio-healthcare professionals to ensure practical alignment across Europe. - WP3 designed and launched a scalable, MOOC-style e-learning platform, offering the GLIDE-19 course and interactive resources to equip healthcare workers with pandemic response skills. - WP4 piloted the course and platform in partner countries, gathering qualitative and quantitative feedback to refine content and usability for diverse healthcare systems. - WP5 disseminated project results via tailored communication materials and events, fostering long-term adoption and impact. All activities prioritized inclusivity, engaging a range of health and social care roles, while minimizing the environmental footprint through digital solutions.
▶Impact
The GLIDE-19 project delivered substantial results to improve pandemic preparedness and health and social care resilience. It developed a co-designed methodology (R1) synthesizing best practices in biomedical, psychosocial, and rehabilitative care, providing a practical framework for managing COVID-19 and future health crises. The GLIDE-19 Care Competency Learning Course (R2) offered a structured program covering prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation, tailored with input from healthcare professionals across Europe to address real-world needs. Additionally, the GLIDE-19 MOOC platform (R3) provided open-access, multilingual resources for continuous learning and knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration and skill-building. Together, these outputs have standardized care practices, strengthened cross-border cooperation, and enhanced the digital and clinical competencies of healthcare professionals. By equipping systems with scalable, evidence-based resources, GLIDE-19 has established a sustainable foundation for responding to future public health emergencies while promoting resilience and adaptability across Europe and beyond.