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.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in Europe’s pandemic preparedness, particularly in the health and social care sectors. Professionals in both sectors faced unprecedented physical, mental, and logistical challenges due to the sudden onset of the crisis and the absence of cohesive guidance on care, rehabilitation, and prevention. The emerging training frameworks were fragmented and lacked standardized protocols to address both acute treatment and long-term COVID-19 care. The pandemic also underscored the critical need for digital readiness, as healthcare systems struggled to adapt to remote care and communication demands. The GLIDE-19 project was conceptualized to address these challenges by equipping social and health workers with standardized, evidence-based training and fostering a collaborative, Europe-wide approach to pandemic management. The project aimed to bridge the gaps in knowledge and practice by developing a digital platform while promoting cross-border collaboration and training. This approach ensures that healthcare systems are better prepared to handle current and future health crises, fostering a resilient and digitally proficient workforce capable of providing high-quality care under pressure.