title: Training for impact: the socio-economic impact of a fit for purpose health workforce on communities.
abstract: Across the globe, a "fit for purpose" health professional workforce is needed to meet health needs and challenges while capitalizing on existing resources and strengths of communities. However, the socio-economic impact of educating and deploying a fit for purpose health workforce can be challenging to evaluate. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of six promising strategies and interventions that provide context-relevant health professional education within the health system. The strategies focused on in the paper are:1. Distributed community-engaged learning: Education occurs in or near underserved communities using a variety of educational modalities including distance learning. Communities served provide input into and actively participate in the education process.2. Curriculum aligned with health needs: The health and social needs of targeted communities guide education, research and service programmes.3. Fit for purpose workers: Education and career tracks are designed to meet the needs of the communities served. This includes cadres such as community health workers, accelerated medically trained clinicians and extended generalists.4. Gender and social empowerment: Ensuring a diverse workforce that includes women having equal opportunity in education and are supported in their delivery of health services.5. Interprofessional training: Teaching the knowledge, skills and attitudes for working in effective teams across professions.6. South-south and north-south partnerships: Sharing of best practices and resources within and between countries.In sum, the sharing of resources, the development of a diverse and interprofessional workforce, the advancement of primary care and a strong community focus all contribute to a world where transformational education improves community health and maximizes the social and economic return on investment.
authors: Training for Health Equity Network, New York, United States of America. bjorg@thenetcommunity.org.
authors: Björg
authors: B
authors: Pálsdóttir
authors: Consultant Nursing and Health Policy, International Council of Nurses, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Barry
authors: International Pharmaceutical Federation, The Hague, Netherlands.
authors: Andreia
authors: A
authors: Bruno
authors: Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE), London, United Kingdom.
authors: Hugh
authors: H
authors: Barr
authors: Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Clithero
authors: Office for the Promotion of Global Healthcare Equity, Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Cobb
authors: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.|The Network: Towards Unity for Health, Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: De Maeseneer
authors: African Center for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Elsie
authors: E
authors: Kiguli-Malwadde
authors: The Training for Health Equity Network, New York, United States of America.
authors: André-Jacques
authors: AJ
authors: Neusy
authors: Interprofessional Research, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Kingston University and St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Reeves
authors: Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead and Laurentian Universities, Sudbury and Thunder Bay, Canada.
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Strasser
authors: Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Worley
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003479:Curriculum; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006295:Health Resources; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D010820:Physicians; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014933:Women's Rights; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Community engagement; Distributed learning; Economic impact; Health workforce education; Interprofessional education; Primary care; Social accountability; Social determinants of health; Social impact