Co-developing an inclusive interprofessional health workforce minimum data standard for enhanced planning and decision-making: A Canadian case with international relevance

Background: Comprehensive and standardized health workforce data are the foundation of more robust planning and evidence-informed decision-making in the face of multiple crises. Objective: This paper describes the process, results, and lessons learned in co-developing an inclusive, interprofessional health workforce minimum data standard (MDS) for planning. Methods: A four-phase development process was undertaken: 1) we gathered existing data standards through an environmental scan and literature review, from which we synthesized common data elements into modules; 2) we gathered input through collaborator engagement on the suitability of these data elements to address their priority planning questions; 3) we reviewed the retained data elements with information garnered from an ongoing integrated primary care health workforce planning process; 4) collaborating partners provided detailed feedback on the drafted MDS data elements. Results: Data elements, their sources and other metadata identified from the scans were synthesized into three modules on health worker capacity, education, and identification. Consultation feedback led to refinements and additional data elements. The retrospective review led to a streamlining of the number elements within each module. Partner feedback led to further refinement, mindful of implementation, including dividing them into a core and supplemental set. Conclusions: Co-developing an MDS for planning benefits from building off existing data standards, open and ongoing collaborator engagement for buy-in, and practical considerations balancing adding more data against finding the right data elements to fit planning needs. Although the MDS was developed for a Canadian context, the approach and outputs are transferable to other settings.