Comparing Health Workforce Policy during a Major Global Health Crisis: A Critical Conceptual Debate and International Empirical Investigation.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 20(6)2023 03 13.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2267381
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The health workforce is central to healthcare systems and population health, but marginal in comparative health policy. This study aims to highlight the crucial relevance of the health workforce and contribute comparative evidence to help improve the protection of healthcare workers and prevention of inequalities during a major public health crisis.METHODS:
Our integrated governance framework considers system, sector, organizational and socio-cultural dimensions of health workforce policy. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as the policy field and Brazil, Canada, Italy, and Germany as illustrative cases. We draw on secondary sources (literature, document analysis, public statistics, reports) and country expert information with a focus on the first COVID-19 waves until the summer of 2021.RESULTS:
Our comparative investigation illustrates the benefits of a multi-level governance approach beyond health system typologies. In the selected countries, we found similar problems and governance gaps concerning increased workplace stress, lack of mental health support, and gender and racial inequalities. Health policy across countries failed to adequately respond to the needs of HCWs, thus exacerbating inequalities during a major global health crisis.CONCLUSIONS:
Comparative health workforce policy research may contribute new knowledge to improve health system resilience and population health during a crisis.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Health Workforce
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijerph20065035
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