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The importance of human resources management in health care: a global context
Good human resources management (HRM) improves overall patient health outcomes
Authors:
S. Kabene; C. Orchard; J. Howard
Publisher:
Human Resources for Health, 2006
This paper, from Human Resources for Health, highlights the importance of human resources management (HRM) in improving overall patient health outcomes and delivery of health care services. The authors demonstrate how HRM is essential to any health care system and how it can improve health care models. Challenges in the health care systems in Canada, the United States, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe are examined, with suggestions for ways to overcome these problems through the proper implementation of human resources management practices.
The paper concludes that proper management of human resources is critical in providing a high quality of health care. The authors argue that human resource professionals are key to helping organisations meet challenges and identify goals. They should therefore be involved at the highest level of strategic planning. Through active involvement at strategic levels, they can ensure that HR issues are raised, considered and properly addressed. HR professionals will also need to have an understanding of all areas of the organisation, including strategy, finance and operations. The authors conclude that a strong understanding of HRM is needed to ensure the success of any health care programme. They recommend more HR initiatives in health systems and more research on HR policies and practices. [adapted from author]
