title: Service-based health human resources planning for older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test a service-based health human resources (HHR) planning approach for older adults in the context of home and long term care (LTC); to create a practical template/tools for use in various jurisdictions and/or health care settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The most serious health needs of seniors in 2 Canadian jurisdictions were identified and linked to the specific services and associated competencies required of health care providers (HCPs) to address those needs. The amounts of each service required were quantified and compared against the capacity of HCPs to perform the services, measured using a self-assessment survey, by using a previously developed analytical framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home and LTC sectors in Nova Scotia and Nunavut, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Regulated and nonregulated HCPs were invited to complete either an online or paper-based competency self-assessment survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey response rates in Nova Scotia and Nunavut were 11% (160 responses) and 20% (22 responses), respectively. Comparisons of the estimated number of seniors likely to need each service with the number who can be served by the workforces in each jurisdiction indicated that the workforces in both jurisdictions are sufficiently numerous, active, productive, and competent to provide most of the services likely to be required. However, significant gaps were identified in pharmacy services, ongoing client assessment, client/family education and involvement, and client/family functional and social supports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Service-based HHR planning is feasible for identifying gaps in services required by older adults, and can guide policy makers in planning hiring/recruitment, professional development, and provider education curricula. Implementation will require commitment of policy makers and other stakeholders, as well as ongoing evaluation of its effectiveness. More broadly, the ongoing effectiveness of the approach will depend on workforce planning being conducted in an iterative way, driven by regular reevaluation of population health needs and HHR effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning and Research, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. gail.tomblin.murphy@dal.ca
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tomblin Murphy
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rigby
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rockwood
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: Gogi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greeley
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montpetit
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dill
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alder
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lackie
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006285:Health Planning; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009674:Nova Scotia; D020957:Nunavut; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Long term care; aged; frailty; health human resources; planning; policy