Latest Resources

The World Health Organization (WHO) created this diagnostic tool to conduct a diagnosis on the quality of data on HRH and the degree to which information is used for evidence-based decision-making. It contains questions intended to gather information on the uses, type and quality of data on HRH at institutional level in countries to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current HRIS in countries. [adapted from publisher]

This resource contains curriculum components and tools needed to design, implement, and evaluate training. It offers essential resources for family planning and reproductive health trainers, supervisors, and program managers. The entire package is designed to support up-to-date training on family planning and reproductive health.

This study aimed to examine factors influencing the implementation of evidence-based practice among nurses in a large Norwegian university hospital. [from abstract]

This paper outlines the shortfall of the current indicators in assisting the global certification and competency recognition in the health care workforce. Through a series of case studies, it then describes a model which enables institutions to compare themselves internally and with others internationally using prioritised parameters rather than standards. [adapted from abstract]

This document outlines the steps for designing and implementing a data demand and information use (DDIU) approach. It reviews the application of the information supply and demand matrix, examines the constraints to evidence-based decision, examines strategies to encourage DDIU, outlines guidelines for implementing DDIU activities and interventions, and presents a set of tools for facilitating DDIU. [adapted from author]

These data demand and use (DDU) case studies from a variety of settings give examples of how interventions have successfully facilitated data demand and changed how information is used. Examples are from Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and nine Caribbean countries. [from publisher]

This toolkit brings together a set of existing tools that are in use for various aspects of country level HRH development, including situation analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The toolkit is meant to help the countries in developing, implementing, and monitoring evidence-based HRH plans. It may also be used by those wishing to review or validate their current HRH plans and interventions. [from publisher]

Health information technology, particularly electronic decision support systems, can reduce the existing gap between evidence-based knowledge and health care practice but professionals have to accept and use this information. Evidence is scant on which features influence the use of computer-based clinical decision support (eCDS) in primary care and how different professional groups experience it. The aim of this research was to describe specific reasons for using or not using eCDS among primary care professionals. [from abstract]

The simulated client (SC) method for evaluating health worker performance utilizes surveyors who pose as patients to make surreptitious observations during consultations. During a trial that evaluated a quality improvement intervention in Benin, the authors conducted an SC survey with adult caretakers as surveyors and real children to evaluate the feasibility of this approach for evaluating health worker performance for pediatric illnesses. [adapted from abstract]

Ethiopia has been deploying specially trained cadres of community based health workers named health extension workers. This study investigates the role of these these community health workers in improving utilization of maternal health services. [adapted from abstract]

Qualified health workers are expensive and often unavailable for blood pressure screening. In a poor, urban community the authors compared blood pressure measurements taken by non-health workers using electronic devices against qualified health workers. [from abstract]

The objective of this study was to develop a common instrument to monitor any changes in maternal and neonatal health care provider motivation resulting from the introduction of pilot interventions in rural, primary level facilities in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania. [from abstract]

This presentation from the Irish Forum for Global Health Conference provides a background on development of observatories, and outlines the achievements, challenges and prospects of the HRH observatory in Sudan. [adapted from author]

This literature review sought evidence to better understand the lack of progress in solving the crisis in human resources for health despite known interventions: delegating tasks, investments in training, and upgrading health workers. It also addresses the lack of funding and political will to act in this field. [adapted from publisher]

The objectives of the study reported in this article were to: estimate the technical and scale efficiency of national health systems (NHS) in utilizing human resources for health in African continent to produce various ultimate health outputs; identify the magnitudes of inefficiencies in the use of human resources for health in individual countries; identify the best performer NHS whose practice could be emulated by others; and highlight the implications for policy to health sector policy-makers. [from author]

In this paper, the authors discussed the evidence based solutions to the problem of human resources in the health sector to combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases in developing countries. [adapted from abstract]

This presentation discusses the the characteristics of public health research in Latin America which are poorly known in terms of scale, subjects of study, sources of funding and human resources for development. [adapted from author]

This report contains the proceedings of a meeting of 18 francophone and Spanish-speaking countries in Africa focusing on the HRH crisis. It outlines common challenges faced by the countries concerned and provides suggestions on the role of regional entities and development partners. [from publisher]

This paper aims to provide information on the migration of Filipino health workers and the impact it has on the individual migrant, his family, professions and specifically the health care system. Further it discusses policy initiatives that have been established to both ensure the country’s competitiveness in the global labor market as well as strengthen its capability to strengthen its health care system. [from introduction]

Reviewing the status of human resources for health research (HRHR) in Africa, the authors assert that it consists of uncoordinated, small-scale activities, primarily driven from outside Africa. This article also presents examples of ongoing HRHR capacity building initiatives in Africa and a simple model to help countries plan and strategise a comprehensive approach to research capacity strengthening. [adapted from abstract]

This presentation outlines the need for and way forward to building human resources for health research capacity for system strengthening in Africa.

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of strategies incorporating training and support of traditional birth attendants on the outcomes of perinatal, neonatal, and maternal death in developing countries. [from abstract]

Health professionals that treat mental health in Ghana, such as community nurses and pharmacists, lack proper training but have become the default practitioners in dealing with illnesses. This brief explores the shortcomings of Ghana’s mental health policies, and highlights the implications and outcomes for the country’s population. [adapted from author]

This brief outlines the issues surrounding constraints in the health workforce which have emerged as a key obstacle to scaling-up access to prevention and treatment for the 5.7 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. [adapted from summary]

Conseil national du sida wished to delve further into the human resources crisis in Southern countries. It therefore sought to identify the main causes and determining factors behind the said crisis and to put forth various strategies in an attempt to turn that trend around. [from author]