MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Human Resources for Health' source. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:50:38 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3377351&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F5 Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate key elements for scaling up and replicating educational initiatives that address management skills essential for long-term health systems strengthening in resource-poor settings. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3377351 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3377351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3357710&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com Conclusions: An analysis of the course's history provides valuable lessons for other schools of public health trying to train professionals in developing countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3357710 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3357710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3337542&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: An analysis of the course's history provides valuable lessons for other schools of public health trying to train professionals in developing countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3337542 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3337542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3313929&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F3 Conclusion: This study suggests that there is a need to re-examine medical school admission policies and practices. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3313929 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3313929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3297502&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F2 Conclusion: The findings of this survey suggest that the majority of tutors did not know the abortion law in Ghana as well as the Ghana Health Service Reproductive Health Standards and Protocol. Thus, there is a need to enhance their capacities to teach the present pre-service students the necessary skills to offer CAC after school and to understand related issues such as related legal matters. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3297502 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3297502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3188081&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F8%2F1%2F1 Conclusions: When teams learn and apply empowering leadership and management practices, they can transform the way they work together and develop their own solutions to complex public health challenges. Committed health teams can use local resources to scale up effective public health interventions. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3188081 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3188081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3032974&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F86 Conclusions: The trends of sustained increase and geographic variation in the PA workforce were identified. Educational level, percentage of minority, and age of the PA workforce have increased over time. Major causes of the changes in the PA workforce include educational factors and federal legislation or state regulation. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3032974 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3032974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2995030&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F85 Conclusions: The strategic decision by the NTP in 2000 to put the highest priority on capacity building has resulted in impressive progress towards TB control targets, a progress that despite many challenges has been sustained. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2995030 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2995030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2980037&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F83 This commentary paper highlights changing patterns of outward migration of Zambian nurses. The aim is to discuss these pattern changes in the light of policy developments in Zambia and in receiving countries.Prior to 2000, South Africa was the most important destination for Zambian registered nurses. In 2000, new destination countries, such as the United Kingdom, became available, resulting in a substantial increase in migration from Zambia. This is attributable to the policy of active recruitment by the United Kingdom's National Health Service and Zambia's policy of offering Voluntary Separation Packages: early retirement lump-sum payments promoted by the government, which nurses used towards migration costs.The dramatic decline in migration to the United Kingdom since 2004 is likely to b... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2980037 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2980037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2966114&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F82 Background: As the general practitioner and specialist medical workforce ages there is likely to be a large number of retirees in the near future. However, few Australian studies have specifically examined medical practitioner retirement and projected retirement patterns, and the subsequent impact this may have on training future health care professionals. Methods: Extracts from the Australian Medicare database and Medical Labour Force Surveys are used to examine trends in attrition of general medical practitioners and specialists over the age of 45 years from the workforce and to predict their rate of retirement to 2025. Results: The general medical practitioner workforce has aged significantly (p (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2966114 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2966114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2957910&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F81 Conclusions: The included studies suggest that conventional economic evaluations, particularly cost-effectiveness analyses, generally focus too narrowly on health outcomes, especially in the context of vaccination promotion and delivery at the primary health care level by LHWs. Further studies on the costs and cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes involving LHWs should be conducted, and these studies should adopt a broader and more holistic approach. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2957910 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2957910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2933549&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F80 The public sectors of developing countries require strengthened capacity in health informatics. In Peru, where formal university graduate degrees in biomedical and health informatics were lacking until recently, the AMAUTA Global Informatics Research and Training Program has provided research and training for health professionals in the region since 1999. The Fogarty International Center supports the program as a collaborative partnership between Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru and the University of Washington in the United States of America. The program aims to train core professionals in health informatics and to strengthen the health information resource capabilities and accessibility in Peru. The program has achieved considerable success in the development and institutiona... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2933549 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2933549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2915201&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F79 Conclusions: Perspectives of the two main groups of actors in Jalisco's contracting model are important in the design and adjustment of an adequate contracting model that includes managerial elements to give incentives to worker performance, a key element necessary to achieve the model's ultimate objectives. Lessons learnt from this study could be relevant for the experience of contracting models in other developing countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2915201 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2915201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2773991&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F78 Conclusions: This study shows that nurses and midwives play an important role in implementing immunization activities at the district level and that their roles can be maximized by creating opportunities that lead to their having more responsibilities in their work and in particular, their involvement in early phases of planning of priority health activities. This should be accompanied by written job descriptions, tasks and clear lines of authority as well as good supportive supervision. The lessons from supplementary immunization activities, where the roles of nurses and midwives are maximized, can be easily adopted to benefit the rest of the health services provided at district level. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2773991 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2773991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2831066&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F77 Conclusion: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness training was useful, but insufficient, to achieve high-quality pneumonia case management. Our study supports led to additional improvements, although large gaps in performance still remained. A simple graphical pathway analysis can identify specific, common errors that health workers make in the case-management process; this information could be used to target quality improvement activities, such as supervision (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00510679). (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2831066 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2831066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2740426&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F77 Conclusions: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness training was useful, but insufficient, to achieve high-quality pneumonia case management. Our study supports led to additional improvements, although large gaps in performance still remained. A simple graphical pathway analysis can identify specific, common errors that health workers make in the case-management process; this information could be used to target quality improvement activities, such as supervision (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00510679). (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2740426 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2740426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2724101&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F76 This study sought to identify task shifting that has already occurred and assess the antiretroviral therapy training needs among clinicians to whom tasks have shifted. Methods: The Infectious Diseases Institute, in collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, surveyed health professionals and heads of antiretroviral therapy clinics at a stratified random sample of 44 health facilities accredited to provide this therapy. A sample of 265 doctors, clinical officers, nurses and midwives reported on tasks they performed, previous human immunodeficiency virus training, and self-assessment of knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus and antiretroviral therapy. Heads of the antiretroviral therapy clinics reported on clinic characteristics. Results: Thirty of 33 doctors (91%), 24 of 40 clini... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2724101 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2724101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2698482&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F73 Conclusions: The government should focus primarily on changing the physician fee schedule, with careful consideration of the balance between office-based physicians and hospital-based physicians and among specialties. To implement effective policies in managing health care human resources, policy-makers should also pay attention to continuously monitoring physicians' practising status and career motivations; and national consensus is needed regarding the number of physicians required in each type of facility and specialty as well as region. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2698482 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2698482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2690627&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F70 Conclusions: Based on the findings, it was concluded that measures that promote challenges at work, together with financial stimuli, seem to be promising in order to prolong workforce participation. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2690627 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2690627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2690626&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F71 Conclusions: The efforts reported here can be informative to other institutions by exemplifying an integrated top-down/bottom-up process of strategic planning that ensures that a department's degree programmes meet current needs and that students graduate with the competences to address those needs. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2690626 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2690626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2690625&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F72 Conclusions: In the scientific literature there is a debate as to whether alexithymia is a stable personality characteristic or if it is dependent on symptoms of mental disorders. We tried to interpret the associations of alexithymia with professional burnout, depressive symptoms and family support. From this study it appears very likely that alexithymia is directly associated with depression and personal achievement, but also - indirectly - with the sense of family support. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2690625 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2690625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2687470&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F69 Conclusions: Investment of a modest proportion of new HIV/AIDS resources in targeted public health leadership training programmes can assist in building capacity to lead and manage national HIV and other public health programmes. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2687470 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2687470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2673591&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F67 Human resources for health are in crisis worldwide, especially in economically disadvantaged areas and areas with high rates of HIV/AIDS in both health workers and patients. International organizations such as the Global Health Workforce Alliance have been established to address this crisis. A technical working group within the Global Health Workforce Alliance developed recommendations for scaling up education and training of health workers. The paper will illustrate how decision-makers can use evidence and tools from an equity-oriented toolkit to scale up training and education of health workers, following five recommendations of the technical working group. The Equity-Oriented Toolkit, developed by the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Knowledge Translation and Health Te... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2673591 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2673591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2656440&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F66 Conclusions: This paper provides insights into the importance of remittances in funding social support for family members in home countries. It also illustrates the sacrifices made by migrant nurses to ensure continuation of the remittances, particularly in the context of an economic recession. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2656440 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2656440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2648060&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F65 Conclusions: A strong human resource management function operating at the district level is likely to improve worker motivation and performance. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2648060 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2648060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2644263&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F64 Conclusions: Simulation is valued to gain experience in practising surgical skills prior to working with patients. In the context of resource-limited settings, an additional benefit is that of learning skills not otherwise obtainable. Further testing of this approach will determine its applicability to other resource-limited settings seeking to develop skill-based surgical and emergency procedure apprenticeships. Additionally, skill sustainability and readiness for actual surgical and emergency experiences need to be assessed. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2644263 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2644263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2637100&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F62 Although the factors influencing the shortage and maldistribution of health workers have been well-documented by cross-sectional surveys, there is less evidence on the relative determinants of health workers' job choices, or on the effects of policies designed to address these human resources problems. Recently, a few studies have adopted an innovative approach to studying the determinants of health workers' job preferences. In the absence of longitudinal datasets to analyse the decisions that health workers have actually made, authors have drawn on methods from marketing research and transport economics and used Discrete Choice Experiments to analyse stated preferences of health care providers for different job characteristics.We carried out a literature review of studies using discrete c... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2637100 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2637100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681026&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com Conclusions: The present four subscales measure "understanding", and may take into account the development of interprofessional education programmes with clinical training in various facilities. The content and quality of clinical training subjects may be remarkably dependent on training facilities, suggesting the importance of full consultation mechanisms in the local network with the relevant educational institutes for medicine, health care and welfare. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681026 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2681026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2633293&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F61 Conclusions: The identification of the barriers to and the facilitators of the implementation of maternal death reviews is an essential step for the future adaptation of this method in countries with few resources. We recommend for future implementation of this method a prior enhancement of the perinatal information system and initial training of the members of the audit committee - particularly the data collector and the head of the maternity unit. Local leadership is essential to promote, initiate and monitor the audit process in the health facilities. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2633293 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2633293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2629171&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F60 Conclusions: The present four subscales measure "understanding", and may take into account the development of interprofessional education programmes with clinical training in various facilities. The content and quality of clinical training subjects may be remarkably dependent on training facilities, suggesting the importance of full consultation mechanisms in the local network with the relevant educational institutes for medicine, health care and welfare. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2629171 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2629171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2624844&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F59 Conclusions: A continued process should be ensured to provide opportunities to health workers to update their knowledge, sharpen communication skills and bring credibility to their persona as health educators. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2624844 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2624844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616420&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F57 The Public Health Resource Network is an innovative distance-learning course in training, motivating, empowering and building a network of health personnel from government and civil society groups. Its aim is to build human resource capacity for strengthening decentralized health planning, especially at the district level, to improve accountability of health systems, elicit community participation for health, ensure equitable and accessible health facilities and to bring about convergence in programmes and services.The question confronting health systems in India is how best to reform, revitalize and resource primary health systems to deliver different levels of service aligned to local realities, ensuring universal coverage, equitable access, efficiency and effectiveness, through an empow... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616420 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2616420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2597293&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F54 During the past few years, the pharmacy profession has expanded significantly in terms of professional services delivery and now has been recognized as an important profession in the multidisciplinary provision of health care. In contrast to the situation in developed countries, pharmacists in developing countries are still underutilized and their role as health care professionals is not deemed important by either the community or other health care providers. The aim of this paper is to highlight the role of pharmacists in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. The paper draws on the literature related to the socioeconomic and health status of Pakistan's population, along with background on the pharmacy profession in the country in the context of the current directions of health c... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2597293 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2597293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2597292&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F55 Conclusions: In Lusaka primary care clinics, overwork, illness and death were common reasons for attrition. Programmes to improve access, acceptability and confidentiality of health care services for clinical providers and to reduce workplace stress could substantially affect workforce stability. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2597292 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2597292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2597291&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F56 Conclusions: It is a plausible supposition that the demand for health reforms, along with the legal limits imposed on financial expenditure, gave rise to the new types of contract and the present employment situation in the health districts in Belo Horizonte. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2597291 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2597291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2555194&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F53 Conclusions: This study suggests that the practice of informal payments contributes to the general demotivation of health workers and negatively affects access to health care services and quality of the health system. Policy action is needed that not only provides better financial incentives for individuals but also tackles an environment in which corruption is endemic. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2555194 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2555194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2526461&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F52 In many countries worldwide, health worker shortages are one of the main constraints in achieving population health goals. Financial-incentive programmes for return of service, whereby participants receive payments in return for a commitment to practise for a period of time in a medically underserved area, can alleviate local and regional health worker shortages through a number of mechanisms. First, they can redirect the flow of those health workers who would have been educated without financial incentives from well-served to underserved areas. Second, they can add health workers to the pool of workers who would have been educated without financial incentives and place them in underserved areas. Third, financial-incentive programmes may improve the retention in underserved areas of those ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2526461 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2526461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2501070&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F50 Conclusions: The intended outcome of the intervention was not met. The priorities of the intervention - to improve nurse-parent relationships - did not match the priorities of the nursing staff. Development of awareness and empathy was not enough to provide care that was satisfactory to clients in the context of working conditions that were unsatisfactory to nurses. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2501070 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2501070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2501071&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F49 Ever since the 2006 World health report advocated increased community participation and the systematic delegation of tasks to less-specialized cadres, there has been a great deal of debate about the expediency, efficacy and modalities of task shifting.The delegation of tasks from one cadre to another, previously often called substitution, is not a new concept. It has been used in many countries and for many decades, either as a response to emergency needs or as a method to provide adequate care at primary and secondary levels, especially in understaffed rural facilities, to enhance quality and reduce costs. However, rapidly increasing care needs generated by the HIV epidemic and accelerating human resource crises in many African countries have given the concept and practice of task shiftin... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2501071 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2501071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2501072&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F48 The importance of health workforce provision has gained significance and is now considered one of the most pressing issues worldwide, across all health professions. Against this background, the objectives of the work presented here were to systematically explore and identify contemporary issues surrounding expansion of the global pharmacy workforce in order to assist the International Pharmaceutical Federation working group on the workforce.International peer and non-peer-reviewed literature published between January 1998 and February 2008 was analysed. Articles were collated by performing searches of appropriate databases and reference lists of relevant articles; in addition, key informants were contacted. Information that met specific quality standards and pertained to the pharmacy workf... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2501072 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2501072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2501073&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F47 Conclusions: Oman's experience in workforce planning and development presents an illustration of a country benefiting from successful application of workforce planning concepts and tools. Instead of being complacent about its achievements so far, every country needs to improve or sustain its planning efforts in this way, in order to circumvent the current workforce deficiencies and to further increase self-reliance and improve workforce efficiency and effectiveness. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2501073 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2501073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2454747&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F45 Pharmacists' roles are evolving from that of compounders and dispensers of medicines to that of experts on medicines within multidisciplinary health care teams. In the developing country context, the pharmacy is often the most accessible or even the sole point of access to health care advice and services.Because of their knowledge of medicines and clinical therapeutics, pharmacists are suitably placed for task shifting in health care and could be further trained to undertake functions such as clinical management and laboratory diagnostics. Indeed, pharmacists have been shown to be willing, competent, and cost-effective providers of what the professional literature calls "pharmaceutical care interventions"; however, internationally, there is an underuse of pharmacists for patient care and p... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2454747 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2454747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2454746&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F46 Conclusions: The country case studies illustrate the range of initiatives that have surged in recent years and some main trends in terms of donor initiatives. Though attention and priority attributed to human resources for health is increasing, there is still a focus on single initiatives and programmes. This can be explained in part by the complexity of the issue, and in part by its need to be addressed through a long-term approach including public sector and salary reforms that go beyond the health sector. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2454746 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2454746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2439337&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F42 Background: The purpose of this paper is to present a complex yet transparent, computable model to simulate the regulation of the flow of personnel through a previously described multiple-entry, multiple-exit eye care training scheme linked to the health workforce. This methodology should be a useful tool for the planner; it can address changes and feedbacks over time and be sensitive to any unexpected consequences of the interactions. The same model template can be applied to calculate the finances associated with the personnel flow.Presentation of the hypothesisThe worth of any model or set of concepts of human resources for health is considerably enhanced by actual field application. However, implementation involves the selection of one set of parameters and a large, long-term commitmen... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2439337 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:33:43 +0100 2439337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2439336&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F43 Conclusions: A social model of capacity building in public health has been started and has been able to attract volunteers and students from a wide range of countries. The costs are likely to be low enough to allow this method to make a substantial contribution to capacity building in low-income settings. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2439336 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:33:38 +0100 2439336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2439338&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F41 Conclusions: This is the first real-time analysis on differences in work activities depending on hospital ownership. The study provides an objective insight into physicians` daily work routines at hospitals of different ownership, with additional information on effects of hospital privatization. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2439338 Wed, 27 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2439338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2411819&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F39 Conclusions: Many hospital staff were not being able to provide good care or were even unwilling to provide appropriate care for HIV-positive pregnant women. The study suggests that the quality of prevention of mother-to-child transmission service could be enhanced by improving communication and other skills of health workers, providing them with greater support and enhancing their motivation. Reduction of workload would also be important. Development of a practical strategy is needed to strengthen and adapt the referral system to meet the needs of patients. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2411819 Wed, 13 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2411819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2411820&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F38 Conclusions: Using broad and crude World Health Organization standards for minimum provider-to-population ratios, there is a sufficient eye care workforce in Enugu Urban. However, the maldistribution of the workforce creates a major barrier to uptake of eye care services. Policy modifications could reverse this maldistribution. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2411820 Tue, 12 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2411820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2363137&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F36 Conclusions: We have identified a complex pattern of associations between knowledge, geography, demographic factors and neonatal outcomes. Primary health care staff knowledge regarding neonatal health is scarce. This is a factor that is possible to influence and should be considered in future efforts for improving the neonatal health situation in Viet Nam. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2363137 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2363137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2363136&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F37 Conclusions: This study shows the diverse motivations of nurses from different countries and with different migratory backgrounds and provides evidence that factors other than economic factors influence nurses' decision to emigrate. This information can help developing countries increase retention of this essential and often scarce resource and can also help the United Kingdom's National Health Service to improve the experience of internationally recruited nurses and therefore increase their retention in the United Kingdom. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2363136 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2363136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2363138&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F35 Conclusions: The underlying principles used to derive this model can be applied to many eye care systems in many developing countries. The model can be used in other disciplines with similar constructs to eye care. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2363138 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2363138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2338549&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F34 Conclusions: Training substitutes is a viable option to increase access to life-saving operations in district hospitals. The high newborn case fatality rate among clinical officers could be addressed by a refresher course and closer supervision. These findings may assist in addressing supply shortages of skilled health personnel in sub-Saharan Africa. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2338549 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2338549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321203&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F31 This article investigates whether present community health worker programmes for antiretroviral treatment are taking into account the lessons learnt from past experiences with community health worker programmes in primary health care and to what extent they are seizing the new antiretroviral treatment-specific opportunities. Based on a desk review of multi-purpose community health worker programmes for primary health care and of recent experiences with antiretroviral treatment-related community health workers, we developed an analytic framework of 10 criteria: eight conditions for successful large-scale antiretroviral treatment-related community health worker programmes and two antiretroviral treatment-specific opportunities. Our appraisal of six community health worker programmes, which ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321203 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321201&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F32 Conclusions: Given the influence of the country context and environment on migration intentions, research and policy should frame the issue of migration in the context of the wider human resource agenda, thus viewing migration as one form of attrition and a symptom of other root causes. Remuneration is not an independent stand-alone factor influencing migration intentions and cannot be decoupled from professional development factors. Comprehensive human resource policy development that takes into account the issues of both remuneration and professional development are necessary to encourage retention. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321201 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321199&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F33 Conclusions: Active international recruitment of health professionals was an explicit policy intervention by the Department of Health in England, as one key element in achieving rapid staffing growth, particularly in the period 2000 to 2005, but the level of international recruitment has dropped significantly since early 2006. Regulatory and education changes in the United Kingdom in recent years have also made international entry more difficult. The potential to assess the effect of the Code in England is constrained by the limitations in available databases. This is a crucial lesson for those considering a global code: without a clear link between explicit objectives of a code, and relevant monitoring capacity, it is not possible to judge the actual impact of a code. A second message fo... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321199 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321207&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F28 The human resources crisis in Africa is especially acute in the public health field. Through distance education, the School of Public Health of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, has provided access to master's level public health education for health professionals from more than 20 African countries while they remain in post. Since 2000, interest has increased overwhelmingly to a point where four times more applications are received than can be accommodated. This home-grown programme remains sensitive to the needs of the target learners while engaging them in high-quality learning applied in their own work contexts. This brief paper describes the innovative aspects of the programme, offering some evaluative indications of its impact, and reviews how the delivery of text-led... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321207 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321205&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F29 Conclusions: Overall, the project found that the information in the Training Information Monitoring System can be used to track the working status of trained providers. Data generated from the project are being shared with key stakeholders and used for planning and monitoring the workforce, and partners have agreed to continue collecting data. The attrition rates found in this project imply an increased need to continue to conduct in-service training for HIV/AIDS in the short term. For long-term solutions, retention strategies should be developed and implemented, and opportunities to accelerate the incorporation of HIV/AIDS training in pre-service institutions should be explored. Further study on reasons why providers leave sites and why providers are not working on HIV at the sites where ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321205 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2321209&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F27 We examined the relationship between doctor and nurse concentrations and utilization rates of five essential health services in developing countries. Methods: We performed cross-national analyses of low- and middle-income countries by means of ordinary least squares regression with coverage rates of antenatal care, attended delivery, caesarean section, measles immunization, tuberculosis case diagnosis and care for acute respiratory infection as outcomes. Doctor, nurse and aggregate health worker (sum of doctors and nurses) concentrations were the main explanatory variables. Results: Nurses were associated with utilization of skilled birth attendants (P= 0.02) and doctors were associated with measles immunization rates (P=0.01) in separate adjusted analyses. Aggregate health workers were as... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2321209 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2321209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2294176&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F26 Debate on how resource-rich countries and their health care professionals should help the plight of sub-Saharan Africa appears locked in a mind-set dominated by gloomy statistics and one-way monetary aid. Having established a project to link primary care clinics based on two-way sharing of education rather than one-way aid, our United Kingdom colleagues often ask us: "But what can we learn from Malawi?" A recent fact-finding visit to Malawi helped us clarify some aspects of health care that may be of relevance to health care professionals in the developed world, including the United Kingdom. This commentary article is focused on encouraging debate and discussion as to how we might wish to re-think our relationship with colleagues in other health care environments and consider how we can wo... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2294176 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2294176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2294178&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F24 Conclusion: In China, primary health workers in township health centres and community health centres move to higher-level facilities due to low salaries, limited opportunities for promotion and poor living conditions. The government already has policies in place to counteract this migration, but it must step up enforcement if rural township health centres and urban community centres are to retain health professionals and recruit qualified health workers. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2294178 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2294178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2272196&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F24 Conclusions: In China, primary health workers in township health centres and community health centres move to higher-level facilities due to low salaries, limited opportunities for promotion and poor living conditions. The government already has policies in place to counteract this migration, but it must step up enforcement if rural township health centres and urban community centres are to retain health professionals and recruit qualified health workers. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2272196 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2272196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255890&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F22 Conclusions: With increasing experience in health facility assessments for HRH monitoring comes greater need to establish and promote best practices regarding methods and tools for their implementation, as well as dissemination and use of the results for evidence-informed decision-making. The overall findings of multi-country facility-based surveys should help countries and partners develop greater capacity to identify and measure indicators of HRH performance via this approach, and eventually contribute to better understanding of health workforce dynamics at the national and international levels. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255890 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2255890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255891&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F21 Conclusion: There is inadequate capacity for managing medicines and related commodities in East Africa. There is an urgent need for training in aspects of pharmaceutical management to different categories of health workers. Skills building activities that do not take healthcare workers from their places of work are preferred. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255891 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2255891 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2237064&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F20 Conclusions: The health management training programmes in Iran, and the external university involved in capacity building, benefited from following basic principles of good training practice, which incorporated needs assessment, selection of participants and definition of appropriate learning outcomes, course content and methods, along with focused evaluation. Contracts for external assistance should include specific mention of capacity building, and allow for the collaborative development of courses and of evaluation plans, in order to build capacity of local partners throughout the training cycle. This would also help to develop training content that uses material from local health management situations to demonstrate key theories and develop locally required skills. Training evaluations... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2237064 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2237064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2229406&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F19 Conclusions: This report illustrates a method to increase the capacity of indigenous health workers to manage traumatic injuries. These health workers are able to provide trauma care for otherwise inaccessible populations in remote and conflicted regions. The principles learnt during the implementation of the TMP might be applied in similar settings. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2229406 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2229406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2219708&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F18 Developing countries are currently struggling to achieve the Millennium Development Goal Five of reducing maternal mortality by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. Many health systems are facing acute shortages of health workers needed to provide improved prenatal care, skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric services - interventions crucial to reducing maternal death. The World Health Organization estimates a current deficit of almost 2.4 million doctors, nurses and midwives. Complicating matters further, health workforces are typically concentrated in large cities, while maternal mortality is generally higher in rural areas. Additionally, health care systems are faced with shortages of specialists such as anaesthesiologists, surgeons and obstetricians; a maldistribution of hea... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2219708 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2219708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2219710&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F16 Conclusions: If these opportunities are to be fully exploited, a number of constraints will need to be overcome: limited awareness of the aid effectiveness agenda beyond a core group in government; a perception that this is a donor-led agenda; and different views among partners as to the optimal pace of aid management reforms. In conclusion, we recommend strategic engagement of health stakeholders in the aid effectiveness agenda as one means of strengthening the health workforce. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2219710 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2219710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2219709&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F17 Vancouver Island lies just off the southwest coast of Canada. Separated from the large urban area of Greater Vancouver (estimated population 2.17 million) by the Georgia Strait, this geographical location poses unique challenges in delivering health care to a mixed urban, rural and remote population of approximately 730 000 people living on the main island and the surrounding Gulf Islands. These challenges are offset by opportunities for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to collaborate with four publicly funded post-secondary institutions in planning and implementing responses to existing and emerging health care workforce needs. In this commentary, we outline strategies we have found successful in aligning health education and training with local health needs in ways that demon... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2219709 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2219709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2203307&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F15 Conclusions: This study highlighted the overall dissatisfaction among South African nurses and confirmed the disparity between the levels of job satisfaction between the public and private sectors. Health managers should address those factors that affect job satisfaction, and therefore retention, of nurses in South Africa. Improving the work environment so that it provides a context congruent with the aspirations and values systems of nurses is more likely to increase the satisfaction of nurses and consequently have a positive effect on individual, organizational and health outcomes. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2203307 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2203307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2197468&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: The Healthcare Provider Work Index identifies factors salient to improving job satisfaction and work performance among mid-level cadres in resource-poor settings. The extent to which these results can be generalized beyond the current sample must be established. The poor motivational environment in which clinical officers and medical assistants work in comparison to that of nurses is of concern, as these staff members are increasingly being asked to take on leadership roles and greater levels of clinical responsibility. More research on mid-level providers is needed, as they are the mainstay of health service delivery in many low-income countries. The present paper contributes to a methodology for exploring the work environment of mid-level providers in low-income countries an... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2197468 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2197468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2197467&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: Mid-level cadres are being used to stem Africa's brain drain. It is in the interests of both the government and mission organizations to protect their investment in these workers. For optimal performance and quality of care they need to be supported and properly motivated. A structured system of continuing professional development and functioning human resources management would show commitment to these cadres and support them as professionals. Action needs to be taken to prevent staff members from leaving the health sector for less stressful, more financially rewarding alternatives. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2197467 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2197467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2193090&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F11 Conclusions: A TOT-based training programme is an effective and sustainable method for rapid scale-up of VCT services and training capacity in a large-scale VCT programme. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2193090 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2193090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2179874&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F9 Conclusions: Overall, this study provides some support for the view that local or regional postgraduate training may increase retention of doctors. Attention to career pathways and other sources of frustration, in addition to encouragement to complete training, should increase the likelihood of such programmes' reaching their full potentials. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2179874 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2179874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2176133&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: Research findings suggest that GHIs need to actively mediate against the potentially negative consequences of their funding on human resources for health. Evidence presented highlights the need for new strategies that integrate retraining of existing staff with longer-term staff development to ensure staff retention. The study results show that GHIs must provide significant new and longer-term funding for additional human resources to avoid negative consequences on the overall provision of health care services and to ensure sustainability and quality of programmes they support. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2176133 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2176133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2165536&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F7 Background: This paper reports on a systematic literature review exploring the importance of human resources in the quality of emergency obstetric care and thus in the reduction of maternal deaths. Methods: A systematic search of two electronic databases (ISI Web of Science and MEDLINE) was conducted, based on the following key words "quality obstetric* care" OR "pregnancy complications OR emergency obstetric* care OR maternal mortality" AND "quality health care OR quality care" AND "developing countries. Relevant papers were analysed according to three customary components of emergency obstetric care: structure, process and results. Results: This review leads to three main conclusions: (1) staff shortages are a major obstacle to providing good quality EmOC; (2) women are often dissatisfie... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2165536 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2165536 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2154945&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: In the health system established after Independence, the facilities established were staffed through a period of obligatory service for all new graduates in medicine, nursing and midwifery. The last elements of that staffing system ended in 2007 and the government has not been able to replace it. The private sector is expanding and, despite the fact that it will be of increasing importance in the coming decades, government information about providers in private practice is decreasing. Despite the promise of decentralization to increase sectoral "decision space" at the district level, the central government now has control over essentially all public sector health staff at the district level, marking a return to the situation of 20 years ago. At the same time, Indonesia has cha... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2154945 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2154945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2151770&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F5 In response to recent findings regarding migration of health workers out of Africa, we provide data from a survey of Indian nurses suggesting that up to one fifth of the nursing labour force may be lost to wealthier countries through circular migration. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2151770 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2151770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2118473&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The measure of inequality in the distribution of the health workforce may depend strongly on the underlying measure of health care needs. In cases of a non-uniform distribution of health care needs across geographical areas, other measures of health care needs than population levels may have to be developed in order to ensure a more meaningful measurement of distributional inequalities of the health workforce. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2118473 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2118473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2106227&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: This study shows the importance of integrating summative evaluation into the learning process. Skills-based teaching is much appreciated and well-adapted. Creating a master's programme in population and health in Africa and providing training in evaluation to high-level health professionals from many countries augurs well for scaling up the practice of evaluation in African health systems. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2106227 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2106227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2103187&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F2 Despite progress in developing more effective training methodologies, training initiatives for health workers continue to experience common pitfalls that have beset the overall success and cost-effectiveness of these programs for decades. These include lack of country-level coordination of health training, inequitable access to training, interrupted services, and failure to reinforce skills and knowledge training by addressing other performance factors. These pitfalls are now seen as aggravating the current crisis in human resources for health and impeding the effective scale-up of training and the potential impact of promising strategies such as task shifting to address health worker shortages. Drawing on IntraHealth International's lessons learned in designing reproductive health and HIV... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2103187 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2103187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2088613&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F7%2F1%2F1 Problem Strong leadership and management skills are crucial to finding solutions to the human resource crisis in health. Health professionals and human resource (HR) managers worldwide who are in charge of addressing HR challenges in health systems often lack formal education in leadership and management. Approach Management Sciences for Health (MSH) developed the Virtual Leadership Development Program (VLDP) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The VLDP is a Web-based leadership development programme that combines face-to-face and distance-learning methodologies to strengthen the capacity of teams to identify and address health challenges and produce results. Relevant changes The USAID-funded Leadership, Management and Sustainability (LMS) Pr... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2088613 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2088613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2057792&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F30 Conclusion: Nurturing collaboration between regional institutions in resource-limited countries to build in-country skills in pharmaceutical supply management appears to be an effective intervention. Support from local programmes and technical assistance from organizations and institutions with the necessary expertise is critical for success, particularly at inception. The skills acquired by local institutions can be incorporated into both pre-service and in-service teaching curricula. This ensures long-term availability of skills in-country. The ability of trained institutions to mobilize their own resources for skills-building activities is crucial for the success and sustainability of these programmes. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2057792 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2057792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2057793&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F29 Conclusions: We find evidence of relationships between HRH densities and vaccination rates even at Turkey's relatively elevated levels of each. At the same time, variations in results between different empirical models suggest that this relationship is complex, affected by other factors that occurred during the study period, and warrants further investigation to verify our findings. We hypothesize that the introduction of certain health-sector policies governing terms of HRH employment affected incentives to provide vaccinations and therefore relationships between HRH densities and vaccination rates. National-level changes experienced during the study period -- such as a severe financial crisis -- may also have affected and/or been associated with the HRH-vaccination rate link. While our f... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2057793 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2057793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2050013&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F28 Conclusions: The principles outlined in the handbook provide a regulatory framework for locally establishing higher education courses of good quality that will contribute to enhancing the teaching and learning experience of students in courses in the developing world. This would contribute to providing a skilled and sustainable health care workforce that would reduce the need for health care workers to travel overseas in search of good higher education courses. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2050013 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2050013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2037426&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F27 The Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA FETP) is a public health capacity-building training programme aimed at developing high-caliber field epidemiologists at various levels of the pubic health system. It began in 2000 as part of the effort to rebuild public health infrastructure in six Central American and Caribbean countries following the devastation of Hurricanes Mitch and Georges in late 1998. Since then, the CA FETP has evolved from one regional training programme managed by CDC to several national FETPs with each country assuming ownership of its domestic programme. The curriculum is competency-based, and is divided into a three-tiered training pyramid that corresponds to the needs at the local, district and central levels of the health system. Trainees at each t... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2037426 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2037426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2024068&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F26 As The World health report 2006 emphasized, there is increasing consensus that training programmes should focus on "know-how" instead of "know-all." Health workers need to know how to do the job they will be expected to do. IntraHealth International's Learning for performance: a guide and toolkit for health worker training and education programs offers a step-by-step, customizable approach designed to develop the right skills linked to job responsibilities. Using Learning for performance (LFP) yields more efficient training that focuses on what is essential for health workers to do their jobs and on effective learning methods, while addressing the factors that ensure application of new skills on the job. This brief communication describes the Learning for performance approach and initial f... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2024068 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2024068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1966350&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F25 Conclusions: Training increasing self confidence and self esteem of rural practitioners may contribute to retention of skilled professionals in rural areas. While reorientations of curricula in training institutions are necessary, other types of professional support are needed. This experience suggests that professional associations dedicated to strengthening quality of care can contribute significantly to rural practitioners' morale. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1966350 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1966350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1949630&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F24 Conclusion: The findings suggest that an examination of a policy is incomplete if implementation has not been taken into consideration. The study has revealed a process of trial-and-error experimentation and an accumulation of past experience. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between policy, policy implementation and use of policy instruments and programmes. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1949630 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1949630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1932182&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F23 As part of the special feature on leadership and human resources (HR), Management Sciences for Health profiles three leaders who have made a significance difference in the HR situation in their countries. By taking a comprehensive approach and working in partnership with stakeholders, these leaders demonstrate that strengthening health workforce planning, management, and training can have a positive effect on the performance of the health sector. Three profiles are presented, from Afghanistan, South Africa, and Southern Sudan, revealing common approaches and leadership traits while demonstrating the specificity of local contexts. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1932182 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1932182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1922746&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F22 Conclusions: Results partially support the theory of planned behaviour. Intentions expressed by nurses are stronger predictors of working as a nurse than job satisfaction. Retention strategies should focus on identifying nurses showing early signs of departure with emphasis on developmental aspects, mentoring and support. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1922746 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1922746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1839474&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F21 A crucial question in the aim to attain MDG5 is whether it can be achieved faster with the scaling up of multi-purpose health workers operating in the community or with the scaling up of professional skilled birth attendants working in health facilities. Most advisers concerned with maternal mortality reduction concur to promote births in facilities with professional attendants as the ultimate strategy. The evidence, however, is scarce on what it takes to progress in this path, and on the 'interim solutions' for situations where the majority of women still deliver at home. These questions are particularly relevant as we have reached the twentieth anniversary of the safe motherhood initiative without much progress made. In this paper we review the current situation of human resources for ma... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1839474 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1839474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1835799&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F20 This article compares the quality, quantity and distribution of tuberculosis physicians, laboratory staff, community health workers and nurses in Nigeria and Kyrgyzstan, and highlights implications for (re)training tuberculosis workers in developing countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1835799 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1835799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1796303&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F19 Despite a pool of unemployed health staff available in Kenya, staffing levels at most facilities were only 50%, and maldistribution of staff left many people without access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Because in the current system it takes one to two years to fill vacant positions, even when funding is available, an emergency approach was needed to fast-track the hiring and deployment process. A stakeholder group was formed to bring together leaders from several sectors to design and implement a fast-track hiring and deployment model that would mobilize 830 additional health workers. This model used the private sector to recruit and deploy new health workers and manage the payroll and employment contracts, with an agreement from the government to transfer these staff to the governmen... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1796303 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1796303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1792993&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F18 The objectives of this paper are to: 1. Highlight the situation of health workers in Pacific and Asian countries to gain a better understanding of the contributing factors to health worker motivation, dissatisfaction and migration. 2. Examine the regional and global evidence on initiatives to retain a competent and motivated health workforce, especially in rural and remote areas. 3. Suggest ways to address the shortages of health workers in Pacific and Asian countries by using incentives. The review draws on literature and information gathered through a targeted search of websites and databases. Additional reports were gathered through AusAID country offices, UN agencies, and non-government organizations. The severe shortage of health workers in Pacific and Asian countries is a critical i... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1792993 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1792993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1741148&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: All nursing students will now need to demonstrate competency in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, skills and attitudes during periodic assessment with direct observation of the student performing authentic tasks. Faculty will have the responsibility of developing exercises to address the required objectives and creating assessment tools to demonstrate that their graduates have met the objectives. This activity brought different administrators, nurse leaders and faculty from four geographically dispersed nursing schools to collaborate on a shared goal using a process that could be easily replicated to integrate any new topic in a resource-constrained pre-service institution. It is hoped that this experience provided stakeholders with the experience, skills and motivation to strengthe... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1741148 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1741148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1698698&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F16 Two crises dominate the health sectors of sub-Saharan African countries: those of human resources and of HIV. Nevertheless, there is considerable variation in the extent to which these two phenomena affect sub-Saharan countries, with a few facing extreme levels of both: Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, the Central African Republic and Malawi. This paper reviews the continent-wide situation with respect to this double burden before considering the case of Malawi in more detail. In Malawi, there has been significant concurrent investment in both an Emergency Human Resource Programme and an antiretroviral therapy programme which was treating 60,000 people by the end of 2006. Both areas of synergy and conflict have arisen, as the two programmes have been implemented. These highlight imp... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1698698 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1698698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1659159&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F15 Conclusions: The introduction of the ART programme has revealed both strengths and weaknesses of human resource development in one province of South Africa. Without concerted efforts to increase the supply of key health professionals, accompanied by changes in the deployment of health workers, the core goals of the ART programme - i.e. providing universal access to ART and strengthening the health system - will not be achieved. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1659159 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1659159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1647832&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: A previous trial illustrated that the implementation of a new health care intervention could be scaled up by using a carefully designed educational package, combined with face-to-face facilitation by respected resource persons. This study demonstrated that the site of facilitation, either on site or at a centre of excellence, did not influence the ability of a hospital to implement KMC. The choice of outreach strategy should be guided by local circumstances, cost and the availability of skilled facilitators. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1647832 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1647832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1647831&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F14 This article is the third article in the Human Resources for Health journal's feature on the theme of leadership and management in public health leadership. The series of six articles has been contributed by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and will be published article-by-article over the next few weeks. The third article presents a successful application in Mozambique of a leadership development program created by MSH. Through this program, managers from 40 countries have learned to work in teams to identify their priority challenges and act to implement effective responses. From 2003 to 2004, 11 health units in Nampula Province, participated in a leadership and management development program called the Challenges Program. This was following an assessment which found that the quali... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1647831 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1647831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1636503&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F12 Conclusion: Agenda for Change took several years to design, and has only recently been implemented. Its very scale and central importance to NHS costs and delivery of care argues for a full assessment at an early stage so that lessons can be learned and any necessary changes made. This paper highlights weaknesses in evaluation and limitations in progress. The absence of systematically derived and applied impact indicators makes it difficult to assess impact and impact variations. Similarly, the lack of any full and systematic evaluation constrained the overall potential for Agenda for Change to deliver improvements to the NHS. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1636503 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1636503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1555558&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F12 Conclusions: Agenda for Change took several years to design, and has only recently been implemented. Its very scale and central importance to NHS costs and delivery of care argues for a full assessment at an early stage so that lessons can be learned and any necessary changes made. This paper highlights weaknesses in evaluation and limitations in progress. The absence of systematically derived and applied impact indicators makes it difficult to assess impact and impact variations. Similarly, the lack of any full and systematic evaluation constrains the overall potential for Agenda for Change to deliver improvements to the NHS. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1555558 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1555558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1533148&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F10 This article is the lead article in the Human Resources for Health journal's first quarterly feature. The series of seven articles has been contributed by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under the theme of leadership and management in public health and will be published article by article over the next few weeks. The journal has invited Dr Manuel M. Dayrit, Director of the WHO Department of Human Resources for Health and former Minister of Health for the Philippines to launch the feature with an opening editorial to be found in the journal's blog. This opening article describes the human resource challenges that managers around the world report and analyses why solutions often fail to be implemented. Despite rising attention to the acute shortage of health care workers, solutions to ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1533148 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1533148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1533147&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F11 This article is the second article in the Human Resources for Health journal's first quarterly feature. The series of seven articles has been contributed by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under the theme of leadership and management in public health and will be published article-by-article over the next few weeks. The journal invited Dr Manuel M. Dayrit, Director of the WHO Department of Human Resources for Health and former Minister of Health for the Philippines to launch the feature with an opening editorial to be found in the journal's blog. This article - number two in the series - describes the experience of the Family Life Education Programme (FLEP), a reproductive health program that provides community-based health services through 40 clinics in five districts of Uganda, in i... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1533147 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1533147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1470930&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: After ten years of public health system reforms in Georgia, the public health workforce still has major problems such as irrational distribution and inadequate knowledge and skills. There is an urgent need for re-training and training programs and development of conducive policy environment with sufficient resources to address these problems and assure adequate functionality of public health programs. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1470930 Tue, 27 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1470930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1381235&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: Using established networks (such as community-based organizations already working on empowerment of women) and training women's SHG leaders and barbers as peer educators is an effective and culturally appropriate way to disseminate comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS to low-literacy communities. Similar models for reaching and empowering vulnerable populations should be expanded to other rural areas. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1381235 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1381235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1381234&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F7 In conclusion, educational enhancement in the medical sector in Egypt could be apparently achieved through the HEEPF competitive projects. A study of the long-term impact of these projects on the quality of education is recommended. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1381234 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1381234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1222797&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F5 Conclusions: Improving remuneration for nurses is the top priority policy change sought by nursing students in our study. Nursing schools may want to recruit students desiring work in rural areas or public practice to lead to a more stable workforce in Uganda. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1222797 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1222797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215898&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The findings confirm our supposition that there is a lack of management capacity within the public sector in South Africa and that there is a significant gap between private and public sectors. It provides evidence that there is a great need for further development of managers, especially those in the public sector. The onus is therefore on administrators and those responsible for management education and training to identify managers in need of development and to make available training that is contextually relevant in terms of design and delivery. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215898 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1215898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215899&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: We propose three scenarios, depending on numbers of patients enrolled. In the first scenario, we start with 8000 patients on ART and increase that number to 58 000 at the end of three years (those were the goals for the country of Mozambique). This would require thirteen clinicians and just over ten nurses by the end of the first year, and 67 clinicians and 47 nurses at the end of the third year. In a second scenario, we start with 34 000 patients enrolled for care (not all of them on ART), and increase to 94 000 by the end of the third year, requiring a growth in clinician staff from 18 to 28. In a third scenario, we start a new clinic and enrol 200 new patients per month for three years, requiring 1.2 clinicians in year 1 and 2.2 by the end of year 3. Other clinician types i... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215899 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1215899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1190413&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F2 Conclusions: Increased nurse and physician density are associated with improved health outcomes, suggesting that countries aiming to attain the MDGs related to HIV/AIDS would do well to invest in their health workforce. Implications for international and country level policy are discussed. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1190413 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1190413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1141325&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F1 Conclusions: These numbers are the first standardized, systematic, occupation-specific measure of skilled professionals working in developed countries and born in a large number of developing countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1141325 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1141325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1060500&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F26 Conclusions: Formative supervision can improve the quality of reproductive health services, especially in areas where there is on-site skill building and refresher training. This approach can also mobilize communities to participate in improving service quality. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1060500 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1060500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=962163&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F24 Conclusions: The training program should be reviewed and revised to meet the needs of its graduates who enter diverse situations and positions. English language skills were identified as top priority for further emphasis. The training program should comply with a more advanced accreditation system and standards. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=962163 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100 962163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=901455&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F23 Conclusions: Demand for rehabilitation services is projected to escalate in the next decade. Identifying benchmarks or targets regarding the optimal number of PTs, along with other health professionals working within inter-professional teams, is necessary to establish a stable supply of health providers to meet the emerging rehabilitation and mobility needs of an aging and increasingly complex Canadian population. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=901455 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 901455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=860705&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F22 WHO Human Resources for Health are leading an international joint special issue which is now accepting papers for joint special issues addressing the critical need for a skilled, sustainable health workforce in the developing world. Submitted articles must fall under the broad theme: "Towards a scaling-up of training and education for health workers" (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=860705 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 860705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=819093&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F21 Conclusions: While the introduction of HEWs has been a positive experience for women living at the study site, the frequency of visits, extent of effectively imparted health knowledge and affects of HEWs on other health providers needs to be further explored. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=819093 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 819093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=767884&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F19 Conclusions: We estimate that not more than 5000 full-time equivalent international health volunteers were working in sub-Saharan Africa in 2005, of which not more than 1500 were doctors. A distinction should be made between (1) secular medical humanitarian NGOs, (2) development NGOs, and (3) volunteer organizations, as Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and United Nations volunteers (UNV). They have different views, undergo different trends and are differently appreciated by government officials. International health volunteers contribute relatively small numbers to the health workforce in sub-Saharan Africa, and it seems unlikely that they will do more in the future. In areas where they play a role, their contribution to service delivery is sometimes very significant. (Source: Human Resour... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=767884 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 767884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=754746&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F18 Conclusions: The findings illuminate the immense burden placed on nurses in their role as infant feeding counsellors in pMTCT programmes and the urgent need to provide the training and support structure necessary to promote professional confidence and skills. The organisation of counselling services must to a larger extent take into account the local realities in which nurses construct their role as counsellors to HIV-positive childbearing women. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=754746 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 754746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=662734&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: Clinical officers perform the bulk of emergency obstetric operations at district hospitals in Malawi. The postoperative outcomes of their procedures are comparable to those of medical officers. Clinical officers constitute a crucial component of the health care team in Malawi for saving maternal and neonatal lives given the scarcity of physicians. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=662734 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 662734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=662736&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F15 Conclusions: Recruitment of overseas nurses should not be left to the individual employer even in the presence of government guidelines. An international effort from all the involved parties is required to formulate a solution to this complex issue in order to protect both the health systems of individual countries and the nurse's right to migrate. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=662736 Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 662736 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=662735&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F16 Background: During 1982-1992, the Maternal and Child Health Family Planning (MCH-FP) Extension Project (Rural) of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), implemented a series of interventions in Sirajganj Sadar sub-district of Sirajganj district. These interventions were aimed at improving the planning mechanisms and for reviewing the problem-solving processes to build an effective monitoring system of the interventions at the local level of the overall system of the MOHFW, GoB. Methods: The interventions included development and testing of innovative solutions in service-delivery, provision of door-step injectables, and strengthening of the mana... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=662735 Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 662735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=662737&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F14 Joint call for papers for special issue of the journals: Education for Health (www.educationforhealth.net) Human Resources for Health (www.human-resources-health.com) WHO and the journal Education for Health and Human Resources for Health are now accepting manuscripts for joint special issues addressing the critical need for a skilled, sustainable health workforce in the developing world. Submitted articles must fall under the broad theme: "Towards a scaling-up of training and education for health workers" (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=662737 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 662737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=598611&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F13 This paper draws from research commissioned by the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD). It provides a case study in the introduction of a new health care worker role into an already well established and 'mature' workforce configuration. It assesses the role of USA style physician assistants (PAs), as a precursor to planned 'piloting' of the PA role within the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. The evidence base for the use of PAs is examined, and ways in which an established role in one health system (the USA) could be introduced to another country, where the role is 'new' and unfamiliar, are explored. The history of the development of the PA role in the USA also highlights what is occasionally a somewhat problematic relationship between PAs and the nursing profession. The... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=598611 Fri, 04 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 598611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=598612&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F12 Conclusions: ART is labour intensive. Important reductions in doctor-time per patient can be realized during scaling-up. The doctor-based ART delivery model analysed seems adequate for Cambodia. However, for many districts in sub-Saharan Africa a doctor-based ART delivery model may be incompatible with their HRH constraints. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=598612 Tue, 01 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 598612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=559109&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F11 Conclusions: Medical students seem to know that they will be needed in the public sector, and that this represents an opportunity to contribute to the publics welfare. Nevertheless, their expectations are, already as medical students, to combine their public sector practice with private medical work in order to improve their earnings. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=559109 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 559109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=504579&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F9 Conclusions: The implication of the results discussed in this paper will help EMR countries, particularly LMICs, determine priorities to improve health outcomes and achieve health-related Millenium Development Goals. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=504579 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 504579 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=439227&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: Public expectations have grown regarding the role corporations should play in improving health systems in developing countries. Corporate philanthropy programs based on donations of personnel can help build the organizational and human capacity of frontline agencies delivering health services. More attention is needed to measure and compare outcomes of international volunteering programs, and to identify appropriate strategies for expansion. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=439227 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:00:00 +0100 439227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=439229&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F7 Conclusions: The CD4 nurse intervention, when implemented correctly, was associated with a more rational use of higher-level clinical providers, which may improve overall clinic flow and efficient use of the limited supply of human resources. However, this intervention did not lead to an increase in the number of patients starting HAART or a reduction in the time to HAART initiation. Study month appears to play an important role in all outcomes, suggesting that general improvements in clinic efficiency may have overshadowed the effect of the intervention. The lack of observed effect in these outcomes may be due to additional health systems bottlenecks that delay the initiation of treatment in HAART-eligible patients. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=439229 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 439229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=439231&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F6 Conclusion: The primary reason for many non-European doctors migrating to the UK is post-graduate training within the NHS. Secondary reasons like better pay, better work environment and having friends and family in the UK also play a role in attracting these doctors, who are predominantly from the Indian subcontinent and other British Commonwealth countries. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=439231 Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 439231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=439235&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F4 The study of the health workforce has gained in prominence in recent years, as the dynamic interconnections between human resource issues and health system effectiveness have come into sharper focus. This paper reviews lessons relating to strategic management challenges emerging from the growing literature in this area. Workforce issues are strategic: they affect overall system performance as well as the feasibility and sustainability of health reforms. Viewing workforce issues strategically forces health authorities to confront the yawning gaps between policy and implementation in many developing countries.Lessons emerge in four areas. One concerns imbalances in workforce structure, whether from a functional specialization, geographical or facility lens. These imbalances pose a strategic ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=439235 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 439235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=439233&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F5 Conclusions: Research findings suggest appropriate policy responses to dual practice involve tighter controls on the supply of medical practitioners; alleviation of financial pressures brought by macro-economic conditions; and closer regulation of such activities to ensure some degree of collective action over quality and the maintenance of professional reputations. Further research into this issue in rural areas is needed to ascertain the geographical generalizability of these policy responses. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=439233 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 439233 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=390595&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: Findings from the study suggest that a) reform planners should use the proposed dynamic responses model to help design reform objectives that encourage positive responses among health workers b) the role of context has been underestimated and it is necessary to address broader systemic problems before initiating reform processes, c) reform programs need to incorporate active implementation research systems in order to learn the contextual dynamics and responses, as well as to have inbuilt program capacity for corrective measures d) health workers are key stakeholders in any reform process and should participate at all stages and e) some effects of reforms on the health workforce operate indirectly through levels of satisfaction voiced by communities utilising the services. (So... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=390595 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:00:00 +0100 390595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=304065&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F26 This paper discusses how Mozambique coped with the health system needs in terms of specialized doctors since independence, in a troubled context of war, lack of financial resources and modifying settings of foreign aid. The Ministry of Health (MOH) managed to make up for its severe scarcity of specialist MDs especially through contracting expatriate technical assistance. Different scenarios, partnerships and contract schemes that have evolved since independence are briefly described, as well as self-reliance option possibility and implications. Lessons learned about donor initiatives aimed at contracting specialists from other developing countries are singled out. The issue of obtaining expertise and knowledge in the global market as cheap as possible is stressed, and realistic figures of ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=304065 Sat, 02 Dec 2006 07:00:00 +0100 304065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=277187&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F25 The article analyzes the practice of physicians and nurses working on the Family Health Programme (Programa de Saude da Familia or PSF, in Portuguese). A questionnaire was used to assess the evidences of assimilation of the new values and care principles proposed by the programme. The results showed that a great number of professionals seem to have incorporated the practice of home visits, health education actions and planning of the teams' work agenda to their routine labour activities. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=277187 Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:00:00 +0100 277187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=156292&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F23 This article explores how the Global Fund addresses the challenges of a health workforce bottleneck to the successful implementation of priority disease programmes. Possibilities for investment in human resources in the Global Fund's policy documents and guidelines are reviewed. This is followed by an in-depth study of 35 Global Fund proposals from five African countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania. The discussion presents specific human resources interventions that can be found in proposals. Finally, the comments on human resources interventions in the Global Fund's Technical Review Panel and the budget allocation for human resources for health were examined. Policy documents and guidelines of the Global Fund foster taking account of human resources constraints in recipi... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=156292 Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:00:00 +0100 156292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=144864&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F22 Conclusions: Reducing pull factors by improving domestic supply and reducing push factors by strengthening source country health systems have the greatest policy traction in Canada. The latter, however, is not perceived as presently high on Canadian stakeholder organizations policy agendas, although support for it could grow if it is promoted. Canada is not seen as "actively recruiting" ("poaching") health workers from developing countries. Recent changes in immigration policy, ongoing advertising in southern African journals and promotion of migration by private agencies, however, blurs the distinction between active and passive recruitment. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=144864 Mon, 14 Aug 2006 06:00:00 +0100 144864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=134821&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F21 The challenges in the health workforce are well known and clearly documented. What is not so clearly understood is how to address these issues in a comprehensive and integrated manner that will lead to solutions. This editorial presents - and invites comments on - a technical framework intended to raise awareness among donors and multisector organizations outside ministries of health and to guide planning and strategy development at the country level. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=134821 Thu, 03 Aug 2006 06:00:00 +0100 134821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=124079&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F19 Conclusions: In Thailand self-styled family practices, even without specific training, provide a service that is more responsive and patient-centred than conventional care, with less overmedicalization and at a lower cost. Changes in prescription practices may require deeper changes in the medical culture. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=124079 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 124079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=124077&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F20 Conclusion: Proper management of human resources is critical in providing a high quality of health care. A refocus on human resources management in health care and more research are needed to develop new policies. Effective human resources management strategies are greatly needed to achieve better outcomes from and access to health care around the world. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=124077 Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 124077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=124081&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F18 Background: Over the last two decades, concern has been expressed about the readiness of the public health workforce to adequately address the scientific, technological, social, political and economic challenges facing the field. A 1988 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) served as a catalyst for the re-examination of the public health workforce. The IOMs call to increase the relevance of public health education and training prompted a renewed effort to identify competences needed by public health personnel and the organizations that employ them. Methods: A recent evaluation sought to address the role of the 10 essential public health services in job services among the Texas public health workforce. Additionally, the evaluation examined the Texas public health workforce's need for ... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=124081 Wed, 26 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 124081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=107485&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F16 Conclusion: There is indication that practitioners from both sectors seem willing to strengthen collaboration with each other. However, there are missed opportunities. The lack of collaborative framework integrating maternal health with STIs and HIV/AIDS care is at odds with the needed comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS control. Also, considering the current human resources crisis in Zambia, substantial policy commitment is called for to address the legislative obstacles and the stigma reported by THPs and to provide an adequate distribution of roles between all partners, including traditional health practitioners, in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=107485 Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 107485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=89211&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F15 Conclusions: When trying to establish an efficient reward system for nurses, hospital managers should not concentrate on the financial reward possibilities alone. They also ought to consider non-financial and psychological rewards (in combination with financial rewards), since nurses value these as well and they may lead to a more personalized reward system. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=89211 Thu, 06 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 89211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=77970&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: One critical issue for UK policy-makers is to determine if internationally recruited nurses will stay on in the UK, move back to their home country, or move on to another. That these nurses have made at least one international move means they are likely to have the propensity to move again. As such, retention efforts in the UK will have to take account of their career aspirations. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=77970 Mon, 26 Jun 2006 06:00:00 +0100 77970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=65403&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: Out-migration and attrition due to HIV/AIDS are undermining the health workforce in the public sector of Swaziland. Short and long-term measures for overcoming this HRH crisis have been initiated by the Swazi government and need to be further supported and increased. Scaling up anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and making it accessible and acceptable for the health workforce is of paramount importance for halting the attrition due to HIV/AIDS. To this end we also recommend to explore ways of making ART delivery less labour-intensive. The production of nurses and nursing assistants needs to be urgently increased. Although the migration of HRH is a global issue requiring solutions at various levels, innovative in-country strategies for retaining staff need to be further explored i... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=65403 Wed, 31 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 65403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=46746&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: Out-migration and attrition due to HIV/AIDS are undermining the health workforce in the public sector of Swaziland. Short and long-term measures for overcoming this HRH crisis have been initiated by the Swazi government and need to be further supported and increased. Scaling up anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and making it accessible and acceptable for the health workforce is of paramount importance for halting the attrition due to HIV/AIDS. To this end we also recommend to explore ways of making ART delivery less labour-intensive. The production of nurses and nursing assistants needs to be urgently increased. Although the migration of HRH is a global issue requiring solutions at various levels, innovative in-country strategies for retaining staff need to be further explored i... Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=46746 Wed, 31 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 46746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=16183&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F11 Conclusions: It is very important to consider and to be aware of the profile of community health workers in order to provide appropriate alternatives when working with these groups as well as with the indigenous population, particularly in terms of culture, language and gender issues. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=16183 Wed, 17 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 16183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=16184&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F10 Conclusions: The results suggest that the role of the nurse is not as diverse as might be expected, given the different levels of preparation and training and the diversity of their work environments. This may reflect the lack of a central registration system and quality framework, which would normally regulate clinical activities according to qualifications. The differences in training needs between subsections of the sample highlight the importance of identifying skills deficits and using this information to develop customized post-registration education programmes. Together, these results provide a rigorous and reliable approach to defining the occupational roles and continuing education needs of Indonesian nurses. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=16184 Sun, 23 Apr 2006 06:00:00 +0100 16184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=16186&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: The results suggest that the modified instrument remained valid and reliable for use in the Indonesian nursing and midwifery context. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=16186 Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:00:00 +0100 16186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=16185&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F9 Conclusions: The results from this survey suggest important regional differences in how the midwife's role is discharged and underline the importance of this sort of research, in order to ensure the suitability of basic and postbasic educational provision. The study also highlights the need for further development and training of midwives in a wide range of tasks. These results provide a systematic and reliable overview of current midwifery roles and development needs and could serve to inform future training. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=16185 Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:00:00 +0100 16185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=16187&cid=s_31304_51_f&fid=31304&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.human-resources-health.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F7 Conclusion: A strong preference for Zagreb as an internship workplace was recorded. Uncertainty about getting the desired specialty was associated with choosing Zagreb as a workplace, possibly due to more extensive and diverse job opportunities. (Source: Human Resources for Health) Human Resources for Health journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=16187 Sat, 01 Apr 2006 07:00:00 +0100 16187