Reviewing Health Manpower Development. A Method of Improving National Health Systems. Public Health Papers No. 83.

This guide is intended to assist countries contemplating a comprehensive, action-oriented review of health labor force development to improve their national health systems. Various aspects of the health system infrastructure are examined (major components, organizational structure, coordinating mechanisms, sources of information, and interrelationships between health systems and labor force development). The chapter on health labor force planning examines national policies, mechanisms for assessing the current health labor force situation and planning improvements, planning methods, health labor force research, and information flows. The next chapter covers the general educational system; schools for training health personnel; and training for the various health occupations (including physicians, pharmacists, dentists and dental personnel, nurses and midwives, community health workers, diagnostic technicians and assistants, environmental health personnel, and health leaders and administrators). Authorization to practice, work conditions, personnel functions and administration, and various public and private sector health care providers are examined in a chapter on managing the health labor force. The final chapter outlines trends and makes recommendations concerning planning, production, management, international collaboration, and plans of action. Appendixes or annexes describe health labor force development in the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Zealand, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. (MN)