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dc.contributor.authorThoresen, Stian
dc.contributor.authorFielding, Angela
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T12:36:18Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T12:36:18Z
dc.date.created2010-06-23T20:02:33Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.identifier.citationThoresen, Stian and Fielding, Angela. 2010. Inequitable distribution of human resources for health: perceptions among Thai healthcare professionals. Quality in Primary Care. 18 (1): pp. 49-56.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/23245
dc.description.abstract

Background: Effective delivery of health care is dependent on health manpower. In Thailand, an insufficiency of human resources relates to an inequitable distribution of healthcare professionals rather than to insufficiencies overall. Both internal and external factors influence healthcare professionals' choice of where to work, although perceptions rather than actual circumstances are more influential in their decision-making process. This inequitable distribution of healthcare professionals in Thailand affects rural areas and the provision of primary health care. Objectives: To understand the subjective perceptions, attitudes and dynamics among healthcare professionals regarding where they seek employment and the impact on the provision of primary care. Design: Questionnaire survey among Thai healthcare students and professionals and semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals investigating attitudes and perceptions.Setting: Thai rural, urban and metropolitan areas. Results: An interesting mix of factors influences healthcare professionals with regard to where they seek employment, or continue their employment. Family and community commitments, social status and a sense of belonging were associated with healthcare professionals seeking employment in their province of origin. Tensions are also emerging between preventative and curative health. These tensions, together with financial remuneration and professional development opportunities and promotions, as perceived by healthcare professionals themselves, have implications for current and future healthcare policy. Conclusion: The scaling up of human resources for health in Thailand will not, based on past experiences and attitudes outlined in this research, ensure an equitable distribution of healthcare professionals. Further consideration of these professionals' expectations of being able to work in areas close to their families and of sufficient financial remuneration is required. It is likely that rural regions and the delivery of primary care will be negatively affected by continued inequities. It was also found that current healthcare policies are creating new tensions.

dc.publisherRadcliffe Medical Press Ltd.
dc.titleInequitable distribution of human resources for health: perceptions among Thai healthcare professionals
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume18
dcterms.source.number1
dcterms.source.startPage49
dcterms.source.endPage56
dcterms.source.issn1479-1072
dcterms.source.titleQuality in Primary Care
curtin.note

This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Quality in Primary Care following peer review. The definitive version, Quality in Primary Care 2010; 18:1 : 49-56, is available online at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rmp/qpc/2010/00000018/00000001/art00007

curtin.accessStatusOpen access
curtin.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
curtin.facultySchool of Occupational Therapy and Social Work


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