Planning for human resources
Planning human resources in health care: towards an economic approach : an international comparative review
Why health sector workforce planning needs to look at economic issues
Authors:
K. Bloor; A. Maynard
Publisher:
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation , 2003
The planning of supply of and demand for human resources in healthcare is a neglected topic characterised by significant methodological weaknesses which have been discussed for decades but not resolved. Policy makers in Canada’s healthcare system recognise the need to plan health human resources better, with more systematic and integrated approaches. Many are looking to other healthcare systems for ideas and examples that might be useful in the Canadian context.
To inform the design and development of improved workforce planning, a review of healthcare systems was done in five countries: Australia, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This paper, produced by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF), highlights the results of that review and its implications for those running the health system. The principal lesson derived from this comparative review is that the practice of workforce planning (with the exception of Germany where there is none) is similar, and potentially inefficient, as it ignores crucial economic issues. Suggestions are made to turn this negative lesson into a positive programme of change. [adapted from authors]
