Article type
Abstract
Background
Human Resources for Health (HRH) are the cornerstone of a robust health system essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The WHO has emphasized the need to identify evidence-based policies for strengthening health systems. Although global evidence exists on HRH, LMICs have a research deficit due to insufficient data and scarce contextually relevant research. India lacks reliable data on the size, composition, and distribution of HRH. Decision makers demand locally relevant evidence to transfer and adapt HRH interventions to various geographical contexts. This study recognises the need to consolidate HRH knowledge for the Indian health system to support evidence-based interventions in local settings.
Objective
To systematically map existing HRH research in India, identify research gaps, and draw upon contextually relevant findings to inform local policy decisions.
Methods
The study adopted the scoping review methodology following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Keywords such as “health personnel,” “health care providers,” and specific cadre terms unique to India were used to search the PubMed database. The review found 146 studies that met the inclusion criteria. We thematically mapped evidence using the HRH life-cycle framework and HRH logic model. Additionally, we conducted 15 stakeholder consultations with health system actors from apex health bodies, professional councils, and labor union members from Uttar Pradesh.
Results
Local decision-makers highlighted challenges such as insufficient sanctioned positions and inconsistent staff deployment. In terms of needs, they prioritized evidence on non-financial incentives to improve HRH performance. Out of all studies, less than 25% (n=146) focused on HRH interventions including performance incentives, task shifting, mentoring and supervision (figure 1). Our findings fed into local policy to suggest best practices on non-financial incentives, while ensuring that evidence is contextualized with local priorities for better service delivery to patients.
Conclusion
Stakeholder consultations and review findings suggest policy challenges related to various stages of the HRH lifecycle. Locally produced research offered insights on HRH cadres that are unique to India, such as indigenous healthcare providers (AYUSH) beyond global evidence. India’s fragmented health system offers a geographical and demographic diversity of evidence that can contribute to HRH policies in other countries.
Human Resources for Health (HRH) are the cornerstone of a robust health system essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. The WHO has emphasized the need to identify evidence-based policies for strengthening health systems. Although global evidence exists on HRH, LMICs have a research deficit due to insufficient data and scarce contextually relevant research. India lacks reliable data on the size, composition, and distribution of HRH. Decision makers demand locally relevant evidence to transfer and adapt HRH interventions to various geographical contexts. This study recognises the need to consolidate HRH knowledge for the Indian health system to support evidence-based interventions in local settings.
Objective
To systematically map existing HRH research in India, identify research gaps, and draw upon contextually relevant findings to inform local policy decisions.
Methods
The study adopted the scoping review methodology following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Keywords such as “health personnel,” “health care providers,” and specific cadre terms unique to India were used to search the PubMed database. The review found 146 studies that met the inclusion criteria. We thematically mapped evidence using the HRH life-cycle framework and HRH logic model. Additionally, we conducted 15 stakeholder consultations with health system actors from apex health bodies, professional councils, and labor union members from Uttar Pradesh.
Results
Local decision-makers highlighted challenges such as insufficient sanctioned positions and inconsistent staff deployment. In terms of needs, they prioritized evidence on non-financial incentives to improve HRH performance. Out of all studies, less than 25% (n=146) focused on HRH interventions including performance incentives, task shifting, mentoring and supervision (figure 1). Our findings fed into local policy to suggest best practices on non-financial incentives, while ensuring that evidence is contextualized with local priorities for better service delivery to patients.
Conclusion
Stakeholder consultations and review findings suggest policy challenges related to various stages of the HRH lifecycle. Locally produced research offered insights on HRH cadres that are unique to India, such as indigenous healthcare providers (AYUSH) beyond global evidence. India’s fragmented health system offers a geographical and demographic diversity of evidence that can contribute to HRH policies in other countries.