Subject Guide: Human Resources for Health Management

Successful health managers employ a battery of skills in order to take full advantage of their human resources. In areas with insufficient numbers or a maldistribution of health workers, enhanced supervision and management allows the health system to improve the productivity of the available workforce through planning and budgeting, increasing motivation, and supporting cooperation and collaboration among members of the health care team.^[1] Improving how health care providers are managed is key to strengthening the services they deliver, and therefore central to effective health service delivery and reform.^[2]

Addressing the Issue

Human resources management topics covered in the HRH Global Resource Center include supervision, staff performance assessment, health sector managers, quality assurance and staffing ratios. Credentialing is an integral component in building and sustaining robust HRH systems, and credentialing mechanisms such as licensure, registration, certification and accreditation are among the most frequently used quality assurance tools in health care. Resources are also available in the GRC to assist with career development, incentives, motivation and salary.

Recommended reading:

^[1] Uganda Ministry of Health and The Capacity Project. Mapping the Human Resources Management Processes in Uganda Sector. Accessed on November 6, 2008.

^[2] Capacity Project. Human Resources Management (HRM)in the Health Sector. Accessed on November 6, 2008.