TY - JOUR
T1 - Training for impact: the socio-economic impact of a fit for purpose health workforce on communities
AU - Palsdottir, Bjorg
AU - Barry, J
AU - Bruno, Andreia
AU - Barr, H
AU - Clithero, A
AU - Cobb, N
AU - De Maeseneer, Jan
AU - Kiguli-Malwadde, E
AU - Neusy, André-Jacques
AU - Reeves, S
AU - Strasser, R
AU - Worley, Paul
PY - 2016/8/15
Y1 - 2016/8/15
N2 - Across the globe, a "fit for purpose" health professional workforce is needed to meet health needs and challenges while capitalizing on existing resources and strengths of communities. However, the socio-economic impact of educating and deploying a fit for purpose health workforce can be challenging to evaluate. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of six promising strategies and interventions that provide context-relevant health professional education within the health system. The strategies focused on in the paper are: 1. Distributed community-engaged learning: Education occurs in or near underserved communities using a variety of educational modalities including distance learning. Communities served provide input into and actively participate in the education process. 2. Curriculum aligned with health needs: The health and social needs of targeted communities guide education, research and service programmes. 3. Fit for purpose workers: Education and career tracks are designed to meet the needs of the communities served. This includes cadres such as community health workers, accelerated medically trained clinicians and extended generalists. 4. Gender and social empowerment: Ensuring a diverse workforce that includes women having equal opportunity in education and are supported in their delivery of health services. 5. Interprofessional training: Teaching the knowledge, skills and attitudes for working in effective teams across professions. 6. South-south and north-south partnerships: Sharing of best practices and resources within and between countries. In sum, the sharing of resources, the development of a diverse and interprofessional workforce, the advancement of primary care and a strong community focus all contribute to a world where transformational education improves community health and maximizes the social and economic return on investment.
AB - Across the globe, a "fit for purpose" health professional workforce is needed to meet health needs and challenges while capitalizing on existing resources and strengths of communities. However, the socio-economic impact of educating and deploying a fit for purpose health workforce can be challenging to evaluate. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of six promising strategies and interventions that provide context-relevant health professional education within the health system. The strategies focused on in the paper are: 1. Distributed community-engaged learning: Education occurs in or near underserved communities using a variety of educational modalities including distance learning. Communities served provide input into and actively participate in the education process. 2. Curriculum aligned with health needs: The health and social needs of targeted communities guide education, research and service programmes. 3. Fit for purpose workers: Education and career tracks are designed to meet the needs of the communities served. This includes cadres such as community health workers, accelerated medically trained clinicians and extended generalists. 4. Gender and social empowerment: Ensuring a diverse workforce that includes women having equal opportunity in education and are supported in their delivery of health services. 5. Interprofessional training: Teaching the knowledge, skills and attitudes for working in effective teams across professions. 6. South-south and north-south partnerships: Sharing of best practices and resources within and between countries. In sum, the sharing of resources, the development of a diverse and interprofessional workforce, the advancement of primary care and a strong community focus all contribute to a world where transformational education improves community health and maximizes the social and economic return on investment.
KW - Community engagement
KW - Distributed learning
KW - Economic impact
KW - Health workforce education
KW - Interprofessional education
KW - Primary care
KW - Social accountability
KW - Social determinants of health
KW - Social impact
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84981709145&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12960-016-0143-6
DO - 10.1186/s12960-016-0143-6
M3 - Article
SN - 1478-4491
VL - 14
SP - Art: 49
JO - Human Resources for Health
JF - Human Resources for Health
IS - 1
M1 - 49
ER -