Health workforce planning under conditions of uncertainty: identifying supportive integrated care policies using scenario analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth H. Rees ◽  
Peter Crampton ◽  
Robin Gauld ◽  
Stephen MacDonell
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Care ◽  
Scenario Analysis ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Workforce Planning ◽  
Workforce Policy ◽  
Care Models

PurposeIntegrated care presents health workforce planners with significant uncertainty. This results from: (1) these workforces are likely in the future to be different from the present, (2) integrated care's variable definitions and (3) workforce policy and planning is not familiar with addressing such challenges. One means to deal with uncertainty is scenario analysis. In this study we reveal some integration-supportive workforce governance and planning policies that were derived from the application of scenario analysis.Design/methodology/approachThrough a mixed methods design that applies content analysis, scenario construction and the policy Delphi method, we analysed a set of New Zealand's older persons health sector workforce scenarios. Developed from data gathered from workforce documents and studies, the scenarios were evaluated by a suitably qualified panel, and derived policy statements were assessed for desirability and feasibility.FindingsOne scenario was found to be most favourable, based on its broad focus, inclusion of prevention and references to patient dignity, although funding changes were indicated as necessary for its realisation. The integration-supportive policies are based on promoting network-based care models, patient-centric funding that promotes collaboration and the enhancement of interprofessional education and educator involvement.Originality/valueScenario analysis for policy production is rare in health workforce planning. We show how it is possible to identify policies to address an integrated care workforce's development using this method. The article provides value for planners and decision-makers by identifying the pros and cons of future situations and offers guidance on how to reduce uncertainty through policy rehearsal and reflection.

scholarly journals The relevance of educational attainments of parents of medical students for health workforce planning: data from Guiné-Bissau

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Ferrinho ◽  
Inês Fronteira ◽  
Tiago Correia ◽  
Clotilde Neves
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Parental Influence ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
Fragile States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Workforce Planning

Abstract Background In this article, we analyze data collected in the context of health workforce planning (HWFP) for Guiné-Bissau as part of the development of the third National Health Strategy, to study the relationship between educational achievement of parents and medical student characteristics and professional expectations. Methods Cross-sectional analytical study of all first-year medical students in Guiné-Bissau during December 2016. Results Our results confirm that the isolated effect of each parent is different as it is the combined education of both parents. Parental influence also seems to vary according to the sex of the offspring. The higher the education of the father, the stronger the urban background of the offspring. Level of education of parents is also important in relation to the decision to study medicine and the age of starting those studies. It is also an important influence as to expectation regarding place of future practice: the highest the educational level, particularly of the father, the highest the expectation for a future urban practice. Conclusions Our main interest in medical education is to study it as a health system intervention in order to contribute to health system’s strengthening in fragile states. This is discussed in the context of two frameworks: the labor market framework and WHO’s health system strengthening framework. Our data and that of others, recognize that household characteristics are important regarding future training and a future career in the health sector. This recognition should be integrated into HWFP frameworks.

scholarly journals Advancing the Population Needs-Based Health Workforce Planning Methodology: A Simulation Tool for Country Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2113
Author(s):  
James Asamani ◽  
Christmal Christmals ◽  
Gerda Reitsma
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Flow Process ◽  
Health Workforce Planning

Although the conceptual underpinnings of needs-based health workforce planning have developed over the last two decades, lingering gaps in empirical models and lack of open access tools have partly constrained its uptake in health workforce planning processes in countries. This paper presents an advanced empirical framework for the need-based approach to health workforce planning with an open-access simulation tool in Microsoft® Excel to facilitate real-life health workforce planning in countries. Two fundamental mathematical models are used to quantify the supply of, and need for, health professionals, respectively. The supply-side model is based on a stock-and-flow process, and the need-side model extents a previously published analytical frameworks using the population health needs-based approach. We integrate the supply and need analyses by comparing them to establish the gaps in both absolute and relative terms, and then explore their cost implications for health workforce policy and strategy. To illustrate its use, the model was used to simulate a real-life example using midwives and obstetricians/gynaecologists in the context of maternal and new-born care in Ghana. Sensitivity analysis showed that if a constant level of health was assumed (as in previous works), the need for health professionals could have been underestimated in the long-term. Towards universal health coverage, the findings reveal a need to adopt the need-based approach for HWF planning and to adjust HWF supply in line with population health needs.

Evidence to Care: Learning from a Case Study of Health Workforce Planning and COVID-19 Response in Nova Scotia

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Gail Murphy ◽  
Adrian MacKenzie ◽  
Cindy MacQuarrie ◽  
Tara Sampalli ◽  
Janet Rigby
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Health Workforce Planning

scholarly journals Models of Health workforce Planning – A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (06) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
Dr. Susanthironanki ◽  
Dr. Suhaskulkarni ◽  
Dr. B.Srikanth Reddy ◽  
Dr. Dolardoshi ◽  
Dr. Padma Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Health Workforce ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Health Workforce Planning

scholarly journals Data Lakes and Data Visualization: An Innovative Approach to Addressing the Many Challenges of Health Workforce Planning

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise D. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Data Visualization ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
The State ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Health Workforce Planning

Background: There are a variety of challenges to health workforce planning, but access to data is critical for effective evidence-based decision-making. Many agencies and organizations throughout Mississippi have been collecting quality health data for many years. Those data have historically resided in data silos and have not been readily shared. A strategy was developed to build and coordinate infrastructure, capacity, tools, and resources to facilitate health workforce and population health planning throughout the state.Objective: Realizing data as the foundation upon which to build, the primary objective was to develop the capacity to collect, store, maintain, visualize, and analyze data from a variety of disparate sources -- with the ultimate goal of improving access to health care.Specific aims were to:1)  build a centralized data repository and scalable informatics platform,2)  develop a data management solution for this platform and then,3)  derive value from this platform by facilitating data visualization and analysis.Methods: We designed and constructed a managed data lake for health data from disparate sources throughout the state of Mississippi. A data management application was developed to log and track all data sources, maps and geographies, and data marts.  With this informatics platform as a foundation, we use a variety of tools to visualize and analyze data.Results: Samples of data visualizations that aim to inform health planners and policymakers are presented. Many agencies and organizations throughout the state benefit from this platform.Conclusion: The overarching goal is that by providing timely, reliable information to stakeholders, Mississippians in general will experience improved access to quality care. 

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