Question

Why do health care workers migrate, and what issues/problems does this pose for any HR department/professional? Discuss this issue using examples from the article comparing and contrasting both developing and developed countries

Answer 1

According to WHO, in 2006 there is a shortage of 4.3 million healthcare workers. HR department recruits clinical and non-clinical staff based on the knowledge, skills, and ability to do health care services. The relationship between the HR and healthcare workers is complex because the HR has to manage the physical capital. At the same time, they have to sustain with the effective healthcare practitioners as the necessary tools and consumables required for healthcare workers rising the healthcare cost.

The main reasons for healthcare workers migration include socioeconomic factors, cultural factors, workforce factors and training issues. Among these, the workforce training is the major issue where the healthcare workers required adequate training in order to meet the future needs of health care. Health care workers migrate due to inadequate training, lack of incentives, pay etc.

The developed countries providing more beneficiaries to the health professionals than the developed countries. Example, providing housing, offering rewards for retaining the health care professionals. Whereas in the developing countries are underpaid and less motivated of the healthcare professionals which will be dissatisfied them.

Socioeconomic problems in the developing countries lead to more migration of health workers than the developed countries. Further, the demographic variables such as increased aging, cultural, political issues also affect the demand and supply of healthcare professionals which would arise problems in human resources department.