Health workforce skill mix and task shifting in low income countries: a review of recent evidence
TL;DR: Task shifting is a promising policy option to increase the productive efficiency of the delivery of health care services, increasing the number of services provided at a given quality and cost.
Abstract: Health workforce needs-based shortages and skill mix imbalances are significant health workforce challenges. Task shifting, defined as delegating tasks to existing or new cadres with either less training or narrowly tailored training, is a potential strategy to address these challenges. This study uses an economics perspective to review the skill mix literature to determine its strength of the evidence, identify gaps in the evidence, and to propose a research agenda. Studies primarily from low-income countries published between 2006 and September 2010 were found using Google Scholar and PubMed. Keywords included terms such as skill mix, task shifting, assistant medical officer, assistant clinical officer, assistant nurse, assistant pharmacist, and community health worker. Thirty-one studies were selected to analyze, based on the strength of evidence. First, the studies provide substantial evidence that task shifting is an important policy option to help alleviate workforce shortages and skill mix imbalances. For example, in Mozambique, surgically trained assistant medical officers, who were the key providers in district hospitals, produced similar patient outcomes at a significantly lower cost as compared to physician obstetricians and gynaecologists. Second, although task shifting is promising, it can present its own challenges. For example, a study analyzing task shifting in HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa noted quality and safety concerns, professional and institutional resistance, and the need to sustain motivation and performance. Third, most task shifting studies compare the results of the new cadre with the traditional cadre. Studies also need to compare the new cadre's results to the results from the care that would have been provided--if any care at all--had task shifting not occurred. Task shifting is a promising policy option to increase the productive efficiency of the delivery of health care services, increasing the number of services provided at a given quality and cost. Future studies should examine the development of new professional cadres that evolve with technology and country-specific labour markets. To strengthen the evidence, skill mix changes need to be evaluated with a rigorous research design to estimate the effect on patient health outcomes, quality of care, and costs.
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01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: Results suggest that task shifting may be a safe and effective method inimproving contraceptives and abortion service accessibility in sub-Saharan Africa and to cover healthcare staff shortages.
Abstract: Introduction: Improving maternal and reproductive health is a target for Sustainable Development Goals 3. Accessibility to contraceptives and abortion services is important in improving maternal and reproductive health. In 2014 in sub-Saharan Africa, over 40% of women aged 15-49 years wanted to avoid pregnancy but only 50% or 55 million of these could access contraceptives. Shortage of skilled health workers, which is worse in Africa, has been associated with these challenges. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a target for world nations. To achieve UHC adequate skilled healthcare workers is one key factor needed. In 2013, globally, this shortage was 7.2 million and projected to be 12.9 million by 2035. Task shifting has been thought as a possible solution to this shortage. Therefore, the objective of this review is to establish the outcome of task shifting in the provision of contraceptives and abortion services in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A systematic approach was adopted. Medline, PsycINFO, EBM Reviews databases were searched. Google scholar and hand searching bibliographies of retrieved studies were also done. A quality appraisal using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was done. Data were extracted using a customized form and themes identified. A narrative synthesis of the results was reported. Results: A total of 319 records were retrieved and a set inclusion and exclusion criteria eleven studies were included in the final analysis. The quality of studies was poor as only one random control trial was retrieved limiting the quality of the evidence. Results suggest that task shifting may be a safe and effective method inimproving contraceptives and abortion service accessibility in sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion: To cover healthcare staff shortages task shifting of contraceptive and abortion services can be considered in healthcare practices and included national human resource policies. Further research is required to cover gaps in long-term outcome these services.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The major trends in the South African health workforce in the context of HIV/AIDS are explored and their potential impact on the professional work and status of nurses and doctors are analysis and an interesting case study is provided.
Abstract: This article explores the major trends in the South African health workforce in the context of HIV/AIDS and analyses their potential impact on the professional work and status of nurses and doctors. The Human Resources for Health Strategy for the Health Sector 2012/13-2016/17 document, in addition to a wide range of secondary material, is used to depict the shifts that have taken place in the SA health workforce as a response to the unmet health needs and demands emanating from HIV/AIDS. Such a response is particularly challenging in the context of limited-resource settings and inadequate public healthcare services. Therefore, there has been a need to come up with inventive ideas to mobilise all available resources to curtail the spread of the epidemic as well as to cope with the provision of ART to large numbers of people as quickly as possible. Adopting a critical-analytical approach, this article draws attention to three such ideas: task-shifting, the training of new mid-level workers, and the...
3 citations
Cites background from "Health workforce skill mix and task..."
...With the encouragement and forceful promotion by the WHO, many countries have already recognised the value of task-shifting in the health sector, despite the potential barriers to its effective implementation (Fulton et al. 2011)....
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...Another objective of task-shifting, of great relevance to this article, is to reduce the time needed to scale up the health workforce, because the cadres performing the shifted tasks require less training (Fulton et al. 2011)....
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01 Jun 2021
TL;DR: A review of published and unpublished information that described and evaluated disciplinary development of global health degree programs worldwide, written in English, and published or shared between 1990 and 2020, is presented in this paper.
Abstract: This study aims to provide a brief overview of the history and development of global health education (GHE) as academic degree programs worldwide, and to identify GHE's development opportunities and obstacles in China. This is a state-of-the-art review of published and unpublished information that described and evaluated disciplinary development of global health degree programs worldwide, written in English, and published or shared between 1990 and 2020. Data were derived from official websites of leading global health institutions, like “Google Scholar”, “PubMed”, and unpublished information such as presentation files and unpublished manuscripts collected from knowledgeable leaders in the field. We retrieved and reviewed a total of 35 articles and a large amount of unpublished information or sources on the internet. Global Health emerged as a new discipline around the end of the last millennium and proliferated in the last two decades in developed nations, especially the United States and the United Kingdom. The development of China's GHE programs was built on China's increasing engagement in global health affairs and research. In 2012, Wuhan University established the first official global health department in China. Several universities such as Peking University and Duke Kunshan University subsequently set up departments or programs to offer undergraduate and postgraduate majors and degrees. The first school-level global health unit was established in Shanghai in 2019. The Consortium of Chinese Universities for Global Health (CCUGH) grew from 10 founding members in 2013 to 25 in 2020. Major desirable attributes “unique” to students majoring in global health include global-mindedness, health interests, compassion, intercultural sensitivity, and adventurous spirit. Graduates from GHE programs have a diverse set of career choices spanning research, government, not-for-profit, and private sector occupations. We identified a number of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the future development of GHE in China. To ensure sustainable future growth, we advocate addressing the following key aspects: (1) clearer disciplinary distinctions; (2) multidisciplinary collaborations; (3) public-sector investments; and (4) non-public sectors participation. Amidst China's increasing engagement in health affairs globally and the proliferation of GHE programs in developed nations, China has experienced fast growth in GHE degree programs since 2012 while a number of challenges remain for its future development.
3 citations
TL;DR: Given the lack of research on intervention approaches in Haiti, particularly those targeting mental health, this study provides a foundation for developing prevention and treatment approaches for mental distress among Haitian women.
Abstract: Mental healthcare is largely unavailable throughout Haiti, particularly in rural areas. The aim of the current study is to explore perceived feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of potential culturally adapted interventions to improve mental health among Haitian women. The study used focus group discussions (n = 12) to explore five potential interventions to promote mental health: individual counseling, income-generating skills training, peer support groups, reproductive health education, and couples’ communication training. Findings indicate that individual counseling, support group, and skills training components were generally anticipated to be effective, acceptable, and feasible by both male and female participants. That being said, participants expressed doubts regarding the acceptability of the couples’ communication training and reproductive health education due to: a perceived lack of male interest, traditional male and female gender roles, lack of female autonomy, and misconceptions about family planning. Additionally, the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of the components were described as dependent on cost, proximity to participants, and inclusion of a female health promoter that is known in the community. Given the lack of research on intervention approaches in Haiti, particularly those targeting mental health, this study provides a foundation for developing prevention and treatment approaches for mental distress among Haitian women.
3 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: A potential role for psychiatric liaison services in the care of children with mental health needs where other health problems may have been the original focus of care is revealed.
Abstract: Children and adolescents in many parts of the world are unable to access much-needed mental health services for various reasons, including a general lack of trained personnel, unaffordability of services, a lack of awareness, and sometimes, stigma. Mental health problems in children are often first identified by non-mental health professionals who may be pediatricians, general practitioners, or primary care workers. Children receiving care in medical, surgical or emergency wards, or for chronic physical illnesses, often experience psychiatric symptoms. These facts reveal a potential role for psychiatric liaison services in the care of children with mental health needs where other health problems may have been the original focus of care.
3 citations
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Book•
01 Oct 1984
TL;DR: In this article, buku ini mencakup lebih dari 50 studi kasus, memberikan perhatian untuk analisis kuantitatif, membahas lebah lengkap penggunaan desain metode campuran penelitian, and termasuk wawasan metodologi baru.
Abstract: Buku ini menyediakan sebuah portal lengkap untuk dunia penelitian studi kasus, buku ini menawarkan cakupan yang luas dari desain dan penggunaan metode studi kasus sebagai alat penelitian yang valid. Dalam buku ini mencakup lebih dari 50 studi kasus, memberikan perhatian untuk analisis kuantitatif, membahas lebih lengkap penggunaan desain metode campuran penelitian, dan termasuk wawasan metodologi baru.
78,012 citations
TL;DR: A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies examined the efficacy and tolerability of different types of antidepressants, the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, antipsychotics alone, or natural products in adults with somatoform disorders in adults to improve optimal treatment decisions.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Somatoform disorders are characterised by chronic, medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). Although different medications are part of treatment routines for people with somatoform disorders in clinics and private practices, there exists no systematic review or meta-analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of these medications. We aimed to synthesise to improve optimal treatment decisions.OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders (specifically somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, and pain disorder) in adults.SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group's Specialised Register (CCDANCTR) (to 17 January 2014). This register includes relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from The Cochrane Library (all years), MEDLINE (1950 to date), EMBASE (1974 to date), and PsycINFO (1967 to date). To identify ongoing trials, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials metaRegister, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry. For grey literature, we searched ProQuest Dissertation {\&} Theses Database, OpenGrey, and BIOSIS Previews. We handsearched conference proceedings and reference lists of potentially relevant papers and systematic reviews and contacted experts in the field.SELECTION CRITERIA: We selected RCTs or cluster RCTs of pharmacological interventions versus placebo, treatment as usual, another medication, or a combination of different medications for somatoform disorders in adults. We included people fulfilling standardised diagnostic criteria for somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, or somatoform pain disorder.DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One review author and one research assistant independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes included the severity of MUPS on a continuous measure, and acceptability of treatment.MAIN RESULTS: We included 26 RCTs (33 reports), with 2159 participants, in the review. They examined the efficacy of different types of antidepressants, the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, antipsychotics alone, or natural products (NPs). The duration of the studies ranged between two and 12 weeks.One meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies showed no clear evidence of a significant difference between tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and placebo for the outcome severity of MUPS (SMD -0.13; 95{\%} CI -0.39 to 0.13; 2 studies, 239 participants; I(2) = 2{\%}; low-quality evidence). For new-generation antidepressants (NGAs), there was very low-quality evidence showing they were effective in reducing the severity of MUPS (SMD -0.91; 95{\%} CI -1.36 to -0.46; 3 studies, 243 participants; I(2) = 63{\%}). For NPs there was low-quality evidence that they were effective in reducing the severity of MUPS (SMD -0.74; 95{\%} CI -0.97 to -0.51; 2 studies, 322 participants; I(2) = 0{\%}).One meta-analysis showed no clear evidence of a difference between TCAs and NGAs for severity of MUPS (SMD -0.16; 95{\%} CI -0.55 to 0.23; 3 studies, 177 participants; I(2) = 42{\%}; low-quality evidence). There was also no difference between NGAs and other NGAs for severity of MUPS (SMD -0.16; 95{\%} CI -0.45 to 0.14; 4 studies, 182 participants; I(2) = 0{\%}).Finally, one meta-analysis comparing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with a combination of SSRIs and antipsychotics showed low-quality evidence in favour of combined treatment for severity of MUPS (SMD 0.77; 95{\%} CI 0.32 to 1.22; 2 studies, 107 participants; I(2) = 23{\%}).Differences regarding the acceptability of the treatment (rate of all-cause drop-outs) were neither found between NGAs and placebo (RR 1.01, 95{\%} CI 0.64 to 1.61; 2 studies, 163 participants; I(2) = 0{\%}; low-quality evidence) or NPs and placebo (RR 0.85, 95{\%} CI 0.40 to 1.78; 3 studies, 506 participants; I(2) = 0{\%}; low-quality evidence); nor between TCAs and other medication (RR 1.48, 95{\%} CI 0.59 to 3.72; 8 studies, 556 participants; I(2) =14{\%}; low-quality evidence); nor between antidepressants and the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic (RR 0.80, 95{\%} CI 0.25 to 2.52; 2 studies, 118 participants; I(2) = 0{\%}; low-quality evidence). Percental attrition rates due to adverse effects were high in all antidepressant treatments (0{\%} to 32{\%}), but low for NPs (0{\%} to 1.7{\%}).The risk of bias was high in many domains across studies. Seventeen trials (65.4{\%}) gave no information about random sequence generation and only two (7.7{\%}) provided information about allocation concealment. Eighteen studies (69.2{\%}) revealed a high or unclear risk in blinding participants and study personnel; 23 studies had high risk of bias relating to blinding assessors. For the comparison NGA versus placebo, there was relatively high imprecision and heterogeneity due to one outlier study. Although we identified 26 studies, each comparison only contained a few studies and small numbers of participants so the results were imprecise.AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The current review found very low-quality evidence for NGAs and low-quality evidence for NPs being effective in treating somatoform symptoms in adults when compared with placebo. There was some evidence that different classes of antidepressants did not differ in efficacy; however, this was limited and of low to very low quality. These results had serious shortcomings such as the high risk of bias, strong heterogeneity in the data, and small sample sizes. Furthermore, the significant effects of antidepressant treatment have to be balanced against the relatively high rates of adverse effects. Adverse effects produced by medication can have amplifying effects on symptom perceptions, particularly in people focusing on somatic symptoms without medical causes. We can only draw conclusions about short-term efficacy of the pharmacological interventions because no trial included follow-up assessments. For each of the comparisons where there were available data on acceptability rates (NGAs versus placebo, NPs versus placebo, TCAs versus other medication, and antidepressants versus a combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic), no clear differences between the intervention and comparator were found.Future high-quality research should be carried out to determine the effectiveness of medications other than antidepressants, to compare antidepressants more thoroughly, and to follow-up participants over longer periods (the longest follow up was just 12 weeks). Another idea for future research would be to include other outcomes such as functional impairment or dysfunctional behaviours and cognitions as well as the classical outcomes such as symptom severity, depression, or anxiety.
11,458 citations
TL;DR: Two studies show SU leading to earlier insulin dependence and a meta-analysis of four studies with considerable heterogeneity showed poorer metabolic control if SU is prescribed for patients with LADA compared to insulin.
Abstract: Background
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a slowly developing type 1 diabetes.
Objectives
To compare interventions used for LADA.
Search methods
Studies were obtained from searches of electronic databases, supplemented by handsearches, conference proceedings and consultation with experts. Date of last search was December 2010.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) evaluating interventions for LADA or type 2 diabetes with antibodies were included.
Data collection and analysis
Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Studies were summarised using meta-analysis or descriptive methods.
Main results
Searches identified 13,306 citations. Fifteen publications (ten studies) were included, involving 1019 participants who were followed between three months to 10 years (1060 randomised). All studies had a high risk of bias. Sulphonylurea (SU) with insulin did not improve metabolic control significantly more than insulin alone at three months (one study, n = 15) and at 12 months (one study, n = 14) of treatment and follow-up. SU (with or without metformin) gave poorer metabolic control compared to insulin alone (mean difference in glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from baseline to end of study, for insulin compared to oral therapy: -1.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.4 to -0.1; P = 0.03, 160 participants, four studies, follow-up/duration of therapy: 12, 30, 36 and 60 months; however, heterogeneity was considerable). In addition, there was evidence that SU caused earlier insulin dependence (proportion requiring insulin at two years was 30% in the SU group compared to 5% in conventional care group (P < 0.001); patients classified as insulin dependent was 64% (SU group) and 12.5% (insulin group, P = 0.007). No intervention influenced fasting C-peptide, but insulin maintained stimulated C-peptide better than SU (one study, mean difference 7.7 ng/ml (95% CI 2.9 to 12.5)). In a five year follow-up of GAD65 (glutamic acid decarboxylase formulated with aluminium hydroxide), improvements in fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels (20 μg group) were maintained after five years. Short term (three months) follow-up in one study (n = 74) using Chinese remedies did not demonstrate a significant difference in improving fasting C-peptide levels compared to insulin alone (0.07 µg/L (95% CI -0.05 to 0.19). One study using vitamin D with insulin showed steady fasting C-peptide levels in the vitamin D group but declining fasting C-peptide levels (368 to 179 pmol/L, P = 0.006) in the insulin alone group at 12 months follow-up. Comparing studies was difficult as there was a great deal of heterogeneity in the studies and in their selection criteria. There was no information regarding health-related quality of life, complications of diabetes, cost or health service utilisation, mortality and limited evidence on adverse events (studies on oral agents or insulin reported no adverse events in terms of severe hypoglycaemic episodes).
Authors' conclusions
Two studies show SU leading to earlier insulin dependence and a meta-analysis of four studies with considerable heterogeneity showed poorer metabolic control if SU is prescribed for patients with LADA compared to insulin. One study showed that vitamin D with insulin may protect pancreatic beta cells in LADA. Novel treatments such as GAD65 in certain doses (20 μg) have been suggested to maintain fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels. However, there is no significant evidence for or against other lines of treatment of LADA.
6,882 citations
TL;DR: Despite uncertainties about mortality and burden of disease estimates, the findings suggest that substantial gains in health have been achieved in most populations, countered by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and setbacks in adult mortality in countries of the former Soviet Union.
5,168 citations
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