Global Health Workforce Economics Network

Content and Introduction

The Global Health Workforce Economics Network (GHWEN) will teach this course at the University of California, Berkeley, August 9-13, 2010. GHWEN promotes collaboration in research and training in the field of health workforce economics. It is housed within the Global Center for Health Economics and Policy Research.

Overview

This course will teach economic models and tools to estimate workforce needs, demand and supply. The course will also provide an overview of key topical areas centered on increasing productivity, including skill mix, distribution, and incentives. It will analyze HRH policies that have strengthened health systems, such as improving health worker effectiveness, increasing recruitment and retention, and reducing urban-rural imbalances. Register by April 15, 2010.

Who should attend

This course is designed for managers, planners, and analysts who work in the human resources in health field within organizations such as Ministries of Health, health care facilities, aid organizations, and academic institutions. The principles taught in the course will be applicable to all countries, but the case studies will focus on low-income countries. The case studies will include quantitative exercises, such as analyzing data.

Format and language

The format will be a combination of lectures and formal instruction, and group projects. Specifically, lectures will occur each morning, and afternoon small-group projects will apply the tools learned in the lectures. The course will be taught in English.

Day 1: Health workers and labor market principles

How do health workers function within a health system? How are health workers defined (e.g., education, skills)? What factors affect the labor force supply and demand, and how are wages determined?

Day 2: Workforce need, demand, and supply

What methods are used to estimate health workforce need and demand? How is workforce supply forecasted? How can skill mix changes reduce forecasted shortages? How is inequality measured? What are the key health worker data sources?

Day 3: Incentives

How do you recruit and retain health workers? What factors affect equity and distribution, and how can you influence them? How do you recruit workers to rural areas? What incentives have been deployed and to what effect?

Day 4: Financing

How do financing choices affect the health workforce? What are the different types of healthcare financing systems that exist, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How do countries vary with respect to public, private, insurance, and out of pocket payments?

Day 5: Policy evaluation

How do you include an evaluation component within a policy design, for example, to test the effect of incentives? How do economists and policy-makers work together, and what are examples of how they have worked together in your home country? How do global health initiatives such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals affect workforce planning?

Richard M. Scheffler, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Health Economics & Public Policy; and Director, Global Center for Health Economics and Policy Research University of California, Berkeley (course Director)

Mario R. Dal Poz, MD, PhD, MSc, Coordinator, Human Resources for Health, World Health Organization

Marko Vujicic, PhD, Economist, Human Development Network, The World Bank

Timothy T. Brown, PhD, Associate Director of Research and Training, Global Center for Health Economics and Policy Research; and Assistant Adjunct Professor of Health Economics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley

Brent D. Fulton, PhD, MBA, Assistant Research Economist, Global Center for Health Economics and Policy Research, University of California, Berkeley

Thomas L. Hall, MD, DrPH, Dept. of Epidemiology & Biostatistics University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and Executive Director, Global Health Education Consortium

Alexander S. Preker, MD, PhD, Head, Health Investment Policy and Lead Economist, The World Bank

Agnes Soucat, MD, MPH, Ph.D, Advisor Health Nutrition Population for Africa, Human Development, The World Bank

Kate Tulenko, MD, MPH, MPhil, Deputy Director, CapacityPLUS, IntraHealth

Audrey LaPorte, PhD, Associate Professor, Health Economics, University of Toronto

Joanne Spetz, PhD, Professor, School of Nursing & Faculty Researcher, Center for the Health Professions, University of California, San Francisco

When and Where

August 9-13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. Applicants are expected to stay at the Berkeley City Club, where the course will be held along with breakfast and lunch. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 +1-510-848-7800, guestservices@berkeleycityclub.com

Course fee

$3,200 includes lodging, breakfast and lunch, one dinner, and course materials. Partial scholarships may be available for qualified attendees.

Visas

Applicants are responsible for obtaining their own visa upon entry to the United States. The Center can provide a letter of admission to the course.

Program Policies

• All applications are handled in accordance with the University of California's privacy statement
• A complete registration is required for acceptance
• Applicants seeking acceptance into the program will be notified by e-mail.

Amy Nuttbrock, Logistics Coordinator

Email: amynuttbrock@berkeley.edu
Telephone: +1-510-643-4100
Facsimile: +1-510-643-4281

Brent D. Fulton, Ph.D., Academic Coordinator

Email: fultonb@berkeley.edu
Telephone: +1-510-643-4102