Abstract

We are entering a new era that requires the mobilization of new competencies, namely soft skills that complement the base of expertise, knowledge and skills (hard skills). With the evolution of the population's needs, health professionals find themselves in a situation that forces them to extend their field of non-technical skills. The aim of this study was to investigate the representations of the concept “competence” among the trainers and students who have studied in a system of universalization of health professions. we also inquired about how soft skills are taught during initial training in health sciences. This study was framed by a model derived from the work of Guy le Boterf “Skills Development Model”, a doctor in Social Sciences, Humanities, and Sociology. A qualitative study based on semi-directional interviews was conducted with 17 midwives. the results indicated that the majority of midwives (90%) had a lack of knowledge of the concept “competence” and they associate it often with knowledge and hard skills, they furthermore mentioned that their judgment of professional practice in their work/internship field is based on a binary view (competent/not competent) and not in terms of assimilation levels of competence (novice, beginner, competent, efficient and expert), they also agreed that soft skills should be part of the midwifery training program. The study identified the need for the integration of soft skills that complement hard skills to set the bar high and be on the path to a quest not only for “improvement” but for “re-engineering” training in health sciences.

Keywords

Hard skills; Competence; Health; Non-technical skills