Senior researcher Healthcare System and Governance
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A research and policy agenda for an integrative European perspective on health human resources policy.
Groenewegen, P. A research and policy agenda for an integrative European perspective on health human resources policy. European Journal of Public Health: 2013, 23(Suppl. 1), p. 82. Abstract. 6th European Public Health Conference: Health in Europe: are we there yet? Learning from the past, building the future. 13-16 November 2013, Brussel.
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Background: Across Europe and other countries, healthcare systems are increasingly challenged by matching supply and demand; both on the short and long term, and with regard to the quantitative and qualitative distribution of skills. The complexity of aligning occupational and educational systems with the changing healthcare demands requires new health human resources (HHR) research and policies. Despite their common problems, countries tend to develop this type of research and policy on a national or regional level, failing to benefit from experiences and initiatives in comparable countries. Methods: A scoping review is performed to outline the existing HHR research and policies within Europe. The common human resource challenges countries are confronted with are analysed. National and international HHR research is addressed, as well as different HHR policy initiatives within Europe. Based on this analysis, two directions (‘agendas’) to renew research and policy are suggested, applying an integrative and macrosociological perspective. Results: European countries can learn more from each other on five dimensions of integration that can renew HHR policy: These types of integration are related to the different (sub-) systems in health services, integration between health occupations, between sectors, and integration to overcome gender differences as well as sociocultural diversity. Key messages: The need for an integrative perspective can bridge the different HHR policies and research that are currently developed within Europe.
Background: Across Europe and other countries, healthcare systems are increasingly challenged by matching supply and demand; both on the short and long term, and with regard to the quantitative and qualitative distribution of skills. The complexity of aligning occupational and educational systems with the changing healthcare demands requires new health human resources (HHR) research and policies. Despite their common problems, countries tend to develop this type of research and policy on a national or regional level, failing to benefit from experiences and initiatives in comparable countries. Methods: A scoping review is performed to outline the existing HHR research and policies within Europe. The common human resource challenges countries are confronted with are analysed. National and international HHR research is addressed, as well as different HHR policy initiatives within Europe. Based on this analysis, two directions (‘agendas’) to renew research and policy are suggested, applying an integrative and macrosociological perspective. Results: European countries can learn more from each other on five dimensions of integration that can renew HHR policy: These types of integration are related to the different (sub-) systems in health services, integration between health occupations, between sectors, and integration to overcome gender differences as well as sociocultural diversity. Key messages: The need for an integrative perspective can bridge the different HHR policies and research that are currently developed within Europe.