Challenges and opportunities of micro-credentials as a new form of certification in health science education—a discussion paper

Micro-credentials are an element of the European Skills Agenda 2020. This five-year plan aims to develop improved applied and broader work skills in response to system demands from employers, industry and communities. Within the labour market, employees increasingly want to obtain new skills-based qualifications in a relatively short period of time. Micro-credentials, as a form of lifelong learning, in the health care sector provide significant opportunities for upskilling the workforce in response to rapid changes in health care and service delivery. Moreover, micro-credentials have also been introduced in the context of undergraduate and postgraduate education within the process of accelerated digitalisation during the pandemic. However, despite its relevance, there is limited discussion about the implications and challenges of micro-credentials in the healthcare sciences. According to the findings that emerged from a review of policy documents and scientific papers, a reflective exercise has been conducted to debate the possibilities and challenges of emerging education based on micro-credentials within health care education and employment. Health care delivery is multidisciplinary and statutorily regulated to protect citizens. In such a complex sector, developing a micro-credential friendly ecosystem will require cooperation between various stakeholders if its potential is to be effectively realised. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-024-06174-8.