by sufficient facilities, equipment and drugs. Policy makers and managers can influence the performance of health workers by using carefully formulated and implemented human resources for health policies and strategies, developed in consultation with stakeholders. In order to enhance workforce performance, policy makers and managers also need to be able to analyse organizational culture and behaviour and to identify appropriate leadership skills.This course addresses the knowledge and skills that policy makers and managers need for human resource planning and management. It provides an overview of the situation of Human Resources for Health from a global perspective and subsequently discusses strategies at country level to address health workforce issues. Topics include rational planning, training, governance and gender, performance management and leadership and organisational change.
such as decentralization, the public-private mix, international finance of health goods, aid effectiveness, TRIPS, community participation, health insurance and governance of health systems. The influence that certain actors, such as the international donor community and consumer groups, have on the health policy agenda is explored, and recent influential reports concerning health policy are discussed. As part of this course, students are required to critically read and discuss papers on specific health policy debates in low and middle income countries. Examples of such policy debates include ‘ feasibility of national insurance systems, the role of private sector and contracting arrangements, and the relationship between decentralization and equity.
Health Systems Research: Focus on qualitative methods
27 January – 12 February 2014 (4 ECTS credits)
Policy makers, managers and service providers in the health system need to be able to select appropriate research methods to better understand and address the problems they face. This course discusses which methods should be used to answer different health system research questions. The course specifically focuses on qualitative and participatory research methods. Participants gain experience in each step of the research process through the development of their own research proposal, through practical exercises, and by appraising a research proposal. Attention is also paid to enhance the use of research results by policy makers, managers, health care providers, civil society and clients.
Advanced course on Monitoring and Evaluation: Innovations in a Dynamic Health Systems Environment 18 – 29 August 2014 (3 ECTS credits)
What models, frameworks and tools are suitable for a specific evaluation? How to balance the perspectives of different stakeholders? This course aims to equip participants with up-to-date knowledge and state-of-the-art M&E tools. Monitoring and evaluation skills are essential tools for working in a dynamic development environment. Sectoral plans at national, regional or local levels require a strategic investment in management tools that facilitate informed decision making, planning and implementation. Contextual changes such as the new aid architecture and multi-stakeholder environments will be examined. Participants will become familiar with new M&E frameworks, techniques and the changing role of information technology. Developing appropriate monitoring and evaluation and management information systems will receive particular emphasis. Rational data collection for optimal usefulness while imposing
Human Resources for Health
3 – 14 March 2014 (3 ECTS credits)
How can policy makers and managers improve the performance of the health workforce? How does one plan for human resources? How can organizational development contribute to the performance of health workers? The quality of health service delivery depends to a large extent on the availability and performance of qualified personnel, aided 5