Kroezen, M., Hoegaerden, M. van, Batenburg, R. The joint action on health workforce planning and forecasting: results of a European programme to improve health workforce policies. Health Policy: 2018, 122(2), 87-93 This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel.eu Postprint Version 1.0 Journal website http://www.healthpolicyjrnl.com/article/S0168-8510(17)30341-X/fulltext Pubmed link https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29241846 DOI 10.1016/j.healthpol.2017.12.002 This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel.eu The Joint Action on Health Workforce Planning and Forecasting:Results of a European programme to improve health workforcepolicies MARIEKE KROEZEN A, ∗ , MICHEL VAN HOEGAERDEN A,B , RONALD BATENBURG C A KU Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy (LIGB), University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 blok d – bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium B Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (Belgium), Eurostation II, 40/10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium C Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), PO Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands A B S T R A C T Health workforce (HWF) planning and forecasting is faced with a number of challenges, most notably alack of consistent terminology, a lack of data, limited model-, demand-based- and future-based planning,and limited inter-country collaboration. The Joint Action on Health Workforce Planning and Forecasting(JAHWF, 2013–2016) aimed to move forward on the HWF planning process and support countries intackling the key challenges facing the HWF and HWF planning. This paper synthesizes and discusses theresults of the JAHWF. It is shown that the JAHWF has provided important steps towards improved HWFplanning and forecasting across Europe, among others through the creation of a minimum data set forHWF planning and the ‘ Handbook on Health Workforce Planning Methodologies across EU countries’. At thesame time, the context-sensitivity of HWF planning was repeatedly noticeable in the application of thetools through pilot- and feasibility studies. Further investments should be made by all actors involved tosupport and stimulate countries in their HWF efforts, among others by implementing the tools developedby the JAHWF in diverse national and regional contexts. Simultaneously, investments should be made inevaluation to build a more robust evidence base for HWF planning methods. INTRODUCTION Health workforces are crucial for the sustainability of health sys-tems as there can be no health without a workforce [1]. Yet manyEuropean countries are faced with health