Health vision 2020. Workforce needs of health professionals in Kuwait. Part IV-Allied Health Professionals

ABSTRACT

Allied health professionals [AHPs] are a critical resource in any health care system. Shortages in their availability can restrict access to needed health services and may potentially reduce the quality of care. AHPs are central to the modernization of the health care delivery system. Often, they are the first point of contact for patients, reducing waiting time, and helping the latter to recover from disease states. The aims of the study were to [1] describe the size of the AHPs workforce in Kuwait during the years 2001 to 2005; [2] project the future demand of AHPs, with special reference to the supply of Kuwaiti AHPs during the years 2006 to 2020. Local and international data on demand and supply of AHPs were retrieved. Data on the actual population and supply of AHPs during the years 2001 to 2005 were used to project the future demand of AHPs during the period 2006 to 2020. Population projections were derived using an exponential average annual population growth rate. The future need for AHPs was projected using the population ratio during 2001 to 2005, of one AHP to 358 population [equivalent to 2.7909 AHPs to 1000 population]. The projected number of Kuwaiti AHPs at a given year was calculated by incrementing the number of Kuwaiti AHPs of the previous year by 8.82%, the average annual growth rate of Kuwaiti AHPs during 2001 to 2005. Projections for the demand of AHPs were also computed based on the Australian ratio of 7.3 AHPs 1000 population [equivalent to one AHP to 137 population]. The average annual growth rate of 8.82% for Kuwaiti AHPs indicates that the number of Kuwaiti AHPs is increasing. Of the total demand of AHPs in year 2005, Kuwaiti AHPs constituted 48.2%, mostly employed by the Ministry of Health. Assuming that the 2005 AHPs to population ratio will continue to be the same and no new AHP specialties will be introduced, it is projected that the number of Kuwaiti AHPs will be equal to the number of non-Kuwaiti AHPs by year 2007. By year 2018 Kuwaiti AHPs will constitute the majority in the profession. However, the number of Kuwaiti AHPs available is unlikely to meet the total demand if the health authorities were to improve the AHPs population ratio to the values in affluent countries such as Australia by establishing the needed AHP specialties that do not exist in Kuwait at present. There is a gap between the projected numbers of AHPs in Kuwait and affluent countries such as Australia due to the numerous non-existing AHPs specialties. There is a need to introduce new AHP specialties for the improvement of patients' health care. The education authorities in Kuwait, namely the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and the Public Authority for Applied Education have the responsibility to introduce innovative allied health training programs similar to those existing in the developed countries. Also, more scholars for new allied health technologists should be supported by the Ministry of Higher Education