Health Sector Reform Objectives and Strategies

Health Sector Reform Objectives and Strategies

Introduction

The health sector is one of the most vital areas in any particular country.  It contributes to the economic growth of the country but most importantly, to the health of the citizens. It is, therefore, a crucial component in any country. Science is changing every single day with innovations of better ways of delivering health care being discovered. For the health sector to be efficient, it should be on par with the new scientifically proven methods of health care delivery. This is possible not by taking chances but by formulating a strategic means of achieving this end. This requires the collaboration of the government and various health sector stakeholders to create health care reforms. These reforms will enhance the provision of health care to the citizens.

Health Sector Reform Objectives and Strategies on the Health Workforce

Health sector reform objectives and strategies are crucial in the provision of efficient health services. Some of the reform objectives and procedures include provision of effective and efficient health services, health workforce capacity and skill development, health care leadership, the role of planning in health care delivery and policy, funding and health care regulation.

Provision of effective and efficient health services

Provision of effective and efficient health services is the primary role of the health sector. This can be achieved through the provision of evidence-based practice. The health care providers should be involved in research and be knowledgeable as regards to the innovations in health care delivery. They should also apply the current protocols that have been proven to offer better cure rates of particular illnesses. Studies done show that delivering evidence-based care requires skills in accessing literature and knowledge base. The health care providers should aim to improve patient safety by ensuring they administer the right treatment option, to the right patient, at the correct dose and for the right duration of time to manage their condition optimally. They should also develop reporting systems were near misses, and any injuries can be reported and analyzed to determine what led to the occurrence and how it can be avoided. As part of providing efficient services, health care providers should ensure the productivity of the available workforce. The health workforce should be encouraged to work to their full scope and to be flexible to assist other health workers beyond their scope if the need arises. The health care providers should also ensure their services are accessible to the public as part of their goal of providing efficient services to the people (Mohammed, 2019). Research done shows that health care efficiency and effectiveness is associated with higher cost-effectiveness, increased patient satisfaction and better health care of the citizens (Al-Amin, Makarem and Rosko, 2016).

Health Workforce Capacity and Skill Development

Improvement of the skills and capacity of the health workforce is a vital factor in achieving health care objectives and strategies. This can be done by developing an accredited curriculum that shows what competencies the health care providers need to have for proper health care delivery. Studies done show that the skills, knowledge and expertise of the health workforce are proportional to the quality of services offered (Wallace, 2016). When the health workforce is well trained on the latest efficient ways of providing health care, has both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a particular field, they will provide more efficient services. In improving workforce capacity, the hospital should ensure the health workforce has adequate labourers. This will reduce overworking health providers. They should also provide regular training of the health workforce members on the various roles they are expected to play. They should be trained to view patients as individuals with varied needs, preferences and values. Hence, their management should be tailored to that particular patient, and they should involve them in service delivery. A study done showed that including the patients in their care is associated with better outcomes, reduced costs and better physiological status than those who have not been involved. Finally, health care capacity can be improved by encouraging the health care workforce to work as a team. The health workforce comprises of different members of various specialities, and all the members should work together in the provision of care to the patient. Thus, a nurse can consult with a doctor if they need guidance on how to manage a patient, and a doctor can request help from a counselling psychologist if need be. The government and other health care stakeholders should also ensure retention of health care workers by improving their working conditions, paying them on time and having incentives for the health workers (Mishra, 2016).

Health Care Leadership

Research shows that leadership is vital in any successful reform process, especially when an organization decides to mobilize people to achieve a particular vision (Rotarius, 2018). It is, therefore, crucial to have a great leader who can rally members of the health workforce in achieving the health care reforms and strategies. The leader should be able to create a good rapport with the members he/she is leading and win their confidence. This will enable them to be supportive and also the members of the health workforce can give their input which will enhance their management and service delivery. A good leader is one who can steer the achievement of the reforms, and he will be at the frontline to aspire the health workforce to achieve their goals. He/she should develop a framework for all the health care organization levels. Every member of the health workforce should be conversant with their roles and responsibilities. The leader should collaborate with regulating and accrediting bodies to ensure the development of leadership competencies in education and training programs. He/ she should promote teamwork and collaboration among the health task force and encourage inter-professional practice. A study done on the role of leadership in achieving strategic plans and objectives of health workforce showed that strong leadership enhances team performance and weak leadership is a cause of system failure. Hence, ensuring a strong leadership in the health sector is crucial in achieving the goals and strategies of the health workforce (“Transforming Health Care Leadership: A Systems Guide to Improve Patient Care, Decrease Costs, and Improve Population Health”, 2013)

Planning in Health Care Delivery

Health workforce planning is a crucial health sector reform objective and strategy.  Workforce planning needs to consider new methodologies and models of care. This is by considering the population and the increased role of the private sector and non-governmental organizations in the provision of health services. The aim of the health workforce planning committee is to develop a national approach to health care workforce planning by developing methodologies and models that will meet the needs of the consumers (McMenamin & Mannion, 2017). These models should also be sustainable but flexible to the changing needs of the health care workforce system. They can also develop a system that can integrate the health workforce-related information from different sources. This will enhance planning of various health workforce activities that will improve service delivery to the patients. Studies done on workforce planning show that health workforce planning increases the planning capacity, takes into account the emerging needs and changes workforce configuration and technology (Dennis, 2019).

Policy, Funding and Health Care Regulation

The need to develop policies, funding and regulation is a vital health sector reform objectives and strategies. Studies on health care policies show that policy decisions such as funding can significantly impede the health workforce aims of reform and innovation (Moulton & Sandfort, 2016). Hence, the need to develop policies that will enhance the achievement of the health sectors objectives and strategies. This includes system changes that meet the needs of the community. There is also a need to determine the financial and non-financial mechanisms which will ensure the most cost-friendlyy but efficient means to be employed in the deployment of the health workforce. The health sector leadership should facilitate legislative reforms that will promote health taskforce efficiency. This can be done by provision of adequate funding which will enhance implementation of the changes and objectives. Regulations can also be put in place to minimize wastage, inefficiency and duplication of the health workforce (Mohammed, 2019).

Conclusion

Health sector reform objectives and strategies are crucial to provide a guideline of how health care should be delivered. Some of them include ensuring the provision of effective, efficient and accessible health services to the people. This is by using an accredited curriculum, providing evidence-based services and ensuring patient safety. The health workforce team should also be trained to acquire the relevant skills and expertise in managing patients and learn to work as a team with other members of the health workforce. The government and other health sector stakeholders should ensure proper leadership of the health workforce by appointing a leader who can mobilize and aspiring members to achieve the set objectives. To obtain the goals, the role of health care planning is crucial. This will improve workforce planning by developing methodologies and models that meet the needs of the people. Finally, ensuring the policies, funding measures and regulations need to be developed that will ensure availability of funds to be able to implement the objectives and achievement of the goals of the health institution (Mohammed, 2019).

References

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