Human Resource Development & Management

Theme 2

Definition of terms
Health professionals: graduates of formal degree programs & practicing as health care professionals Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): schools offering degree programs in the health sciences and professions; distinct from graduates of vocational and technical schools Health human resource & development: planning, production & management (retention, supporting, developing) of HPs

General framework used

Areas Planning Production Management: retention, supporting, developing Where are we now? Where do we want to go?

Planning of Human Resource on Health (HRH)

Issues & challenges
1. Health sciences graduates do not adequately match what society needs in terms of number, distribution, areas of specialization There is no centralized and reliable databank that can be used as baseline for planning directions and supply of HRH

Suggested solutions Enhance the existing institution based at DOH to network with other agencies to:
Serve as central databank of HRH statistics Track down where the HPs are (local & abroad) Enable the sharing of resources and exchange of data

2.

Planning of HRH
Issues & challenges
1. Health professionals do not adequately match what society needs in terms of number, distribution, areas of specialization; no integrated fully operational plan for HRH; with HRH network but lack teeth to implement the plan

Suggested solutions Strengthen the mandate of the HRH network and support for full implementation
By Executive Order (short term) By legislation (long term)

2.

There is no centralized and reliable databank that can be used as baseline for planning directions and supply of HRH

Establish the Information System on HRH that form the bases for planning and implementation

Planning of HRH
Issues & challenges
1. Health professionals do not adequately match what society needs in terms of number, distribution, areas of specialization; no integrated fully operational plan for HRH; with HRH network but lack teeth to implement the plan There is no centralized and reliable databank that can be used as baseline for planning directions and supply of HRH

Suggested solutions
Clarify & review the mandates of DOH & other agencies re HRH planning and development HRH plan to consider both professionals and paraprof/technical/vocational HWs particularly DOH, CHED, TESDA Strengthen the HRH network and support for full implementation of the plan; bureaucratic processes Establish the Information System on HRH that form the bases for planning and implementation

2.

Planning of HRH
Issues & challenges
1. Health sciences graduates do not adequately match what society needs in terms of number, distribution, areas of specialization There is no centralized and reliable databank that can be used as baseline for planning directions and supply of HRH

Suggested solutions
Review overlaps in practice of various professionals particularly in the light of DOH programs like BnB and pharmacy, sputum microscopy etc being done by non-medtech personnel, immunizations by midwives, proposed nurse anesthetists etc. Short-term: DOH to consider safety and competency and to avoid violations in HP Practice Laws Long-term: Consider an Omnibus Law for the HP

2.

Production of HRH: supply

Issues & challenges 1. There is an oversupply of RNs, PTs, Optometrists and OTs; undersupply of MDs, DDMs, SPs, Med Techs, Pharmacists; adequate supply of Nutritionists & Dietitians A huge proportion of HPs leave work abroad

Suggested solutions
HRH Plan to guide opening of programs/schools Ensure that HS graduates remain socially accountable to their country by:
Requiring them to render return service to the Philippines for at least 2 years; this should be accompanied with increase in plantilla/positions for employment HEIs emphasize & role model values and patriotism in their curricula

2.

Production of HRH: quality

Issues & challenges 1. There is decreasing quality of graduates as observed in:
a. b. Low passing rates in licensure examinations Increasing proportion of health professionals choosing to be in another career like call centers and shifting in degree programs

Suggested solutions
HEIs to:
Conduct comprehensive curriculum review and revise as necessary Create an environment that gives pride in the health professions and not as passport to work abroad

Strict monitoring of compliance to PSGs of HEIs, to include deregulated schools Review how SUC programs can also be monitored/regulated (Refer to Retention Strategies)

Production of HRH: curriculum & testing

Issues & challenges 1. There is generally decreasing trend in enrollment in some programs, esp Medicine in some specialty areas (anesth, psychiatry, radiology, pathology)
2. This is greatly influenced by the increased demand for nursing

Suggested solutions
HRH Plan Clarify which agency, PRC or CHED, has the mandate for the opening and closing of programs/schools Develop incentives and retention strategies for enrollment in undersubscribed programs/professions Revision of Med Act of 1959, RA 1243, Hosp Residency Law and PD 1424 Formulate operational guidelines regarding admission of foreign students in both undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including residency More scholarships/incentives for graduate programs for HPs

Production of HRH: curriculum & testing

Issues & challenges 3. Not all licensure examinations are competency based; there is PRC memo to fully implement CB licensure examinations 4. Many schools are not yet equipped with basic information and communication technology (ICT) facilities Suggested solutions
PRC to review status of various professional examinations in terms of CB; to fully implement CB testing CHED and TESDA to regulate, monitor and supervise the compliance of HEIs on PSGs CHED to review minimum standards/facilities re IT and other technology Clarify the mandate of DOH & CHED with regards the monitoring of health facilities particularly the affiliation hospitals

Production of HRH: curriculum & testing

Issues & challenges
5. Curricula tend to focus on instruction and not give the same attention to research, extension and post-graduate program Lack of regulation of some prof (e.g. Speech Pathology) and postgraduate programs / specialty certifications in Dentistry

Suggested solutions
Strengthen and empower research, extension and postgraduate programs of HEIs; relate with DOHs and NUHRAs thrusts (refer to R&D strategies) Regulate those that are not yet covered by PRC, e.g., speech pathology CHED and professional societies to regularly monitor the graduate and CPE programs Strengthen / implement mandatory CPE for relicensure

6.

Production of HRH: governance

Issues & challenges
1. CHED is not consistent and lack political will in its implementation of policies related to accreditation, regulation, and granting of autonomous status for state universities, private schools and schools run by local government

Suggested solutions
Direct the appropriate offices, e.g., CHED, PRC, DOLE, HEIs, professional societies, etc to be compliant with existing rules and regulations on accreditation, moratorium in cases of overlapping programs, suspend & close HEIs when not meeting standard guidelines Review and strengthen the PRC & CHED law re this

Production of HRH: governance

Issues & challenges Suggested solutions Amendment of the Medical Act of 1959, particularly removing legislated course/subjects; will give greater flexibility for innovations and changes under CHED Each profession led by the PRC Boards to review their own practice acts

2.

Present laws are no longer relevant, e.g., The medical act of 1959, RA 5527 (MedTech Act), etc.

Production of HRH: governance

Issues & challenges 2. Present laws are no longer relevant, e.g., The medical act of 1959, the Philippine nursing law, RA 5527 (MedTech Act), etc. Suggested solutions
Review and amend the Philippine Nursing Act, specifically on the funding source to implement the mandated salary grade Review overlapping of practice of various professions specifically midwifery and immunization to include the condition under the supervision of an RN; consider OMNIBUS Law

Management of HRH
Issues & challenges 1. Health professionals work in hazardous environments and are not given competitive compensation packages

Suggested solutions
Enforce compliance to current labor laws for HPs
A safe and healthy working environment that is also conducive to productive professional practice Minimum wage, overtime pay etc

Establish minimum entry salary grades for the various HPs Full implementation of the Magna Carta for health workers
DILG - Short-term and urgent Amendment to delete subject to availability of funds etc

Management of HRH
Issues & challenges Suggested solutions Enter into governmentto-government agreements for ethical recruitment policies that benefit the country as a whole and promote HRH development Improve compensation packages /financing for HPs for retention

2.

Wide disparity in pay and compensation package between local and foreign employment; very low in the Phils with limited to no benefits esp in the private sector

Affirm HEAL
Government Compensation and Classification Act of 2007

For referral to other groups

1. For health care financing: inclusion of compensation and welfare packages for HPs in the Philhealth program 2. For R & D: creation of a policy to assure scholarships and assistantships to graduate students in HS 3. For policy group: creation of an overall body that will involve all sectors to pursue these agenda

Summary of policy recommendations and legislative agenda

Short term recommendations:
Executive orders, presidential proclamations, MOAs with concerned agencies to:
Institutionalize the HHRD to have more teeth Organize and strengthen the HEIs and their close relationship with each other, CHED, PRC, etc. Establish a government-to-government partnership to protect the welfare of HPs based abroad

Long-term:
Advocacy to legislate return service of graduates of health science degrees Declare a national policy on HHRD