Objective: The study is a descriptive survey based on quantitative and qualitative data. Its purpose is to describe leaders’ self-assessed competence and learning needs in small and medium-sized health and social care enterprises as part of a larger research and development project in Finland. The information produced will be used in planning a simulation-based coaching intervention. The project partners are a health technology enterprise and two educational institutions.Methods: Data were collected in late 2017 from 23 leaders of 20 enterprises using an internet-based questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows and the qualitative data using inductive content analysis.Results: The leaders felt confident about their ability to organize day-to-day activities, but reported learning needs related to interaction and entrepreneurship. Training was required in supporting staff in challenging situations, in understanding group dynamics and in developing dialogic interaction and emotional intelligence. The leaders were interested in learning how to market their services and improve the competitiveness of their enterprise with help of digitalization and networking, and how to prepare for the reform of health and social services. Most leaders were involved in practical care work and reported a need to update their clinical skills.Conclusions: Increasing self-management contents and fostering an entrepreneurial attitude in nursing and social work curricula may provide one answer to the learning needs reported in this study. Simulation-based education can provide an effective learning environment for both students and professionals in health and social services.

Objective: To examine how health and social welfare professionals in small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) rated their theoretical, practical, and interaction competencies following simulation-based coaching, and to collect feedback for the coaching intervention.Methods: This quantitative survey is part of a wider research and development project conducted in Finland in the years 2017-2019 with assistance from the European Social Fund and carried out in collaboration between two educational institutions. Respondents were 107 nurses and other health and social care professionals in 20 SMEs. Data collection took place using an online questionnaire in May 2019. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows 25.Results: The great majority of the participants were satisfied with the coaching intervention. Respondents rated their theoretical, practical, and interaction competencies as good. They also felt confident about their skills in learning, problem-solving, and action-based learning. Among the most salient learning needs were the use of digital tools, social media, and electronic learning environments, and the need to practice remote counseling.Conclusions: The results indicate a need to provide continuing education on information and communication technology for health and social welfare professionals in small and medium-sized companies.