Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31234893›Full record

ArticleHuman resources for health2019

Health worker transfer processes within the public health sector in Ghana: a study of three districts in the Eastern Region.

A C S Heerdegen, M Bonenberger, M Aikins, P Schandorf, P Akweongo, K Wyss

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Human resources for health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

A C S HeerdegenSwiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. annechristine.heerdegen@swisstph.ch.
M BonenbergerFAIRMED, Aarbergergasse 29, P.O. Box, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.
M AikinsSchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Legon, Ghana.
P SchandorfNursing and Midwifery Training College, P. O. Box KF 142, Koforidua, Eastern Region, Ghana.
P AkweongoSchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Legon, Ghana.
K WyssSwiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe lack of appropriate policies and procedures to ensure transparent transfer practices is an important source of dissatisfaction among health workers in low- and middle-income countries. In order to alter and improve current practices, a more in-depth and context-specific understanding is needed. This study aims to (1) identify rationales behind transfer decisions in Ghana and (2) examine how transfers are managed in practice versus in policies.

methodsThe study took place in 2014 in three districts in Eastern Ghana. The study population included (1) national, regional, and district health administrators with decision-making authority in terms of transfer decisions and (2) health workers who had transferred between 2011 and 2014. Data was collected through semi-structured and structured face-to-face interviews focusing on rationales behind transfer decisions, health administrators' role in managing transfers, and health workers' experience of transfers. A data triangulation approach was applied to compare identified practices with national policies and procedures.

resultsA total of 44 health workers and 21 administrators participated in the study. Transfers initiated by health workers were mostly based on family conditions and preferences to move away from rural areas, while transfers initiated by administrators were based on service requirements, productivity, and performance. The management of transfers was not guided by clear and explicit procedures and thus often depended on the discretion of decision-makers. Moreover, health workers frequently reported not being involved in transfer decision-making processes. We found existing staff perceptions of a non-transparent system.

conclusionOur findings suggest a need to foster incentives to attract and retain health workers in rural areas. Moreover, health worker-centered procedures and systems that effectively guide and monitor transfer practices must be developed to ensure that transfers are carried out in a timely, fair, and transparent way.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHealth PersonnelProfessional Practice LocationPublic Health PracticeAdultDecision MakingFemaleGhanaHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedRural HealthSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID31234893
PMCPMC6591950

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.