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Introduction The Covid‐19 pandemic has required countries to prepare their health workforce for a rapid increase of patients. This research aims to analyse the planning and health workforce policies in Germany, a country with a largely decentralised workforce governance mechanism. Methods Systematic search between 18 and 31 May 2020 at federal and 16 states on health workforce action and planning (websites of ministries of health, public health authorities), including pandemic preparedness plans and policies. The search followed World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe's health workforce guidance on Covid‐19. Content analysis was performed, informed by the themes of WHO. Results The pandemic preparedness plans consisted of no or limited information on how to expand and prepare the health workforce during pandemics. The 16 states varied considerably regarding implementing strategies to expand health workforce capacities. Only one state adopted a policy on task‐shifting despite a federal law on task‐shifting during pandemics. Conclusions Planning on the health workforce, its capacity and skill‐mix during pandemics was limited in the pandemic response plans. Actions during the peak of the pandemic varied considerably across states, were implemented ad hoc and with limited planning. Future action should focus on integrated planning and evaluation of workforce policies.

This paper provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying implementation strategies for integrated care. As part of the SELFIE project, 17 integrated care programmes addressing multi-morbidity from eight European countries were selected and studied. Data was extracted from ‘thick descriptions’ of the 17 programmes and analysed both inductively and deductively using implementation theory. The following ten mechanisms for successful implementation of integrated care were identified. With regards to service delivery, successful implementers (1) commonly adopted an incremental growth model rather than a disruptive innovation approach, and found (2) a balance between flexibility and formal structures of integration. For leadership & governance, they (3) applied collaborative governance by engaging all stakeholders, and (4) distributed leadership throughout all levels of the system. For the workforce, these implementers (5) were able to build a multidisciplinary team culture with mutual recognition of each other's roles, and (6) stimulated the development of new roles and competencies for integrated care. With respect to financing, (7) secured long-term funding and innovative payments were applied as means to overcome fragmented financing of health and social care. Implementers emphasised (8) the implementation of ICT that was specifically developed to support collaboration and communication rather than administrative procedures (technology & medical devices), and (9) created feedback loops and a continuous monitoring system (information & research). The overarching mechanism was that implementers (10) engaged in alignment work across the different components and levels of the health and social care system. These evidence-based mechanisms for implementation are applicable in different local, regional and national contexts.

Background and current state of (inter)national research: Financial Protection is a key dimension of universal health coverage and health system performance assessment and is also monitored within the framework of the sustainable development goals. Analyses of financial hardship among people who have[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 19. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (DKVF)

Hintergrund: Elf Prozent der deutschen Bevölkerung ist privat krankenversichert, dennoch ist diese Gruppe in der Versorgungsforschung stark unterrepräsentiert. Dies hat zur Folge, dass bisher nicht bekannt ist, inwieweit sich Abrechnungsdaten privater Krankenversicherungen (PKV) für Analysen[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 19. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (DKVF)

Hintergrund: In Europa unterscheiden sich die Länder in der Ausbildung und den offiziellen Aufgabenbereichen von Krankenpflegepersonal, einige Länder, wie bspw. die Niederlande, England und Schottland (UK) haben diesbezüglich weitreichende Reformen durchgeführt. Weniger bekannt ist,[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 17. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (DKVF)

Hintergrund: Eine enge interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit als auch eine gute Koordination innerhalb des Krankenhauses sowie über Sektoren hinweg sind Voraussetzungen für eine hohe Patientensicherheit und Effizienz. Bisher ist jedoch kaum erforscht, wie Teams in Krankenhäusern zusammenarbeiten[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 16. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (DKVF)