![Page 1: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PROVIDERS?
Shanon McNab, David Lusale, Yotham Phiri, Helen de Pinho October 21, 2015
![Page 2: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Outline • Advanced Associate Clinicians • Task shifting for EmOC • Zambian MLP Research • Findings • Implications
![Page 3: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Advanced Level Associate Clinicians A professional clinician with advanced competencies to diagnose and manage the most common medical, maternal, child health and surgical conditions, including obstetric and gynaecological surgery (e.g. caesarian sections). Advanced level associate clinicians are generally trained for 4 to 5 years post-secondary education in established higher education institutions and/or 3 years post initial associate clinician training. The clinicians are registered and their practice is regulated by their national or subnational regulatory authority
• Assistant medical officer (Tanzania)
• Clinical officer (Malawi)
• Medical licentiate practitioner (Zambia)
• Health officer (Ethiopia),
• Physician assistant, • Surgical technician, • Medical technician, • Non-physician
clinician
2012 WHO
![Page 4: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural deficits • Many countries have failed to meet MDG 4 • Strategies to address HR shortages have included task shifting for c/sections
![Page 5: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Implementation Research Goal To develop implementation guidance notes to support national level decision makers in countries seeking to implement task shifting to increase access to caesarean section.
![Page 6: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Zambia • Population: roughly 14 million • MMR: 280
• C/section rate: 3%
• Skilled birth attendance: 47%
• Health worker gap: 56-59%
![Page 7: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Medical Licentiate Practitioner (MLP) Research
Who are they? • Clinical Officers with at least 3 years of clinical practice in a rural facility
• Until 2014 there was an advanced diploma course – now a BSc is awarded
• 3 years training in advanced clinical skills: • pediatrics, • obstetrics & gynecology • Internal medicine • Surgery (including c/section)
![Page 8: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Definition of Successful Associate Clinician Program Provider related: Competent, motivated, supported and acknowledged Medical Licentiates fully integrated into the health system, equitably distributed to provide quality care Service related: expanded access to EmOC and other critical clinical health services
![Page 9: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
For each domain, focus on both CONTENT and PROCESS For each domain seek to understand: • core components • initial considerations
(when T/S program was being initially discussed)
• how this changed over time, how was it monitored?
• how does implementation of initiation/ roll out differ from the sustainable path?
• what were accountability mechanisms (responsibility)
• what M&E systems introduced?
• what were the information systems/flows?
• processes used to align the domains during roll out and for ongoing sustainability?
Core
Regulatory Issues
Referral Systems
Supplies & Equipment
Stakeholder involvement
Training
Role Distribution
Incentives
HR Management
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
DOMAINS Core
Components
Through analysis of data – the following emerge: • Interconnected
web of implementation process
• Factors
(mechanisms) critical to support implementation process - for further exploration using Implementation Research
PROCESS: Initiation/ Roll out Sustainability (not linear)
FURTHER EVALUATION TO EXPLORE CRITICAL IMPLEMENTATION
MECHANISMS Identify 4-5 critical
core issues for further investigation
What Constitutes Successful
Implementation? 1. Provider related Competent, motivated, supported, and acknowledged Medical Licentiates Practitioners fully integrated into the health system, equitably distributed to provide c/sections 2. Service Related Increased availability of C-Sections
What are Measures of Successful
Implementation: • Provider survey
responses • Facility level data
on # of c/sections performed by MLs
• Qualitative data aligned with provider survey findings
Formative Research Implementation Research Research Design
![Page 10: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Mixed methods approach • Qualitative Data Collection (61 total):
• 4 provinces • Key informants included: MLPs, District Medical
Officers, Provincial Medical Officers, MLP supervisors, Trainers/lecturers, interns, professional associations, MOH representatives, and the regulatory bodies.
• MLP Provider Survey • 97 completed surveys, 76.4% response rate
• Facility C-Section Data • 11 facilities
![Page 11: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Results
![Page 12: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Preliminary Results: Who are the MLs? • 84% male • Average age 42 years • Average of 8.5 years practicing as Clinical Officers • 85% felt they had received adequate training during diploma course • Work an average of 56.3 hours/week • Serve as the only clinician at the facility for 7.8 days/month • Were ‘on call’ 11 days/month
![Page 13: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Distribution of practicing MLPs 36% at district hospitals 25% at mission hospitals 13% at military hospitals 11% at general hospitals
22 MLPs work in Lusaka Province: • 11 in Military facilities • 2 in private practice • 9 in public and mission facilities
scattered throughout Lusaka Province.
![Page 14: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Signal Functions Conducted in the Last 3 Months Procedure MLP Yes (%)
Perform c/section 70.5%
Repair ruptured uterus 49% Perform vacuum aspiration for retained products with electric or manual suction/vacuum, or curettage for retained products
67.7%
Perform manual removal of placenta 73.7% Perform forceps or vacuum delivery 65.3% Newborn resuscitation with bag and mask 76%
Administer blood transfusion 69.1% Administer magnesium sulphate or anticonvulsants for management of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia
72.9%
Administer parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular) antibiotics
82.8%
![Page 15: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Improved Efficiencies in Health System Obstetric Procedures performed by MLs in past 3 months
67
21
65 69 71
49 46
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
MVA Craniotomy Vacuum Delivery MagSulph to Mx Eclampsia
C/Section Ruptured Uterus Repair
Subtotal Hysterectomy
Perc
ent
Limited access to theatre,
equipment and anesthetists
![Page 16: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
C-Section Data
58% 56%
95% 98%
42%
29%
68%
54%
21%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
% of C-Sections by Staff
Other
ML (2)
![Page 17: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Enabling Environment for Effective Service Delivery
Local strategies were developed to ensure MLPs had the necessary drugs, supplies, and staff to be able to provide c/sections and other emergency surgeries.
Equipment n % Vacuum Extractor 38 39.2% Oxygen 38 39.2% Resuscitaire 34 35.1% Incubator 23 23.7% CTG 12 12.4% Suction 8 8.2% Supplies n % Gloves 44 45.4% Cotton/Gauze 17 17.5% Sutures 14 14.4% Blood 9 9.3% Drugs n % Magnesium Sulphate 28 29% Antibiotics 17 18% Misoprostol 14 14% Oxytocin 12 12% Hydralazine 8 8% Naloxone 8 8%
![Page 18: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Legal and Regulatory Issues
1. Lack of legal clarity regarding MLP official scope of work - MLPs feel legally unprotected. 2. HPCZ lack effective mechanisms to:
• monitor the quality and completion of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of MLPs • track the location of MLPs as they move across permanent establishments.
3. ZMLPA has played a pivotal role in advocating for an enabling statutory and work environment for MLPs.
![Page 19: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Job Satisfaction • In general, I am satisfied with this job
68% Agree
• I find that my opinions are respected at work 93% Agree
• I am satisfied with the recognition I get for the work that I do 59% Agree
![Page 20: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
11.3%
55.7%
89.7%
19.6%
36.1%
7.2%
69.1%
8.2% 3.1%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Emotional Exhaustion Depersonalization Personal Accomplishment
High Burnout
Moderate Burnout
Low Burnout
Assessing ML Burnout Levels
![Page 21: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Frequency MLPs Reported Being On-Call in Past 6 Months
10.4% (n=10)
10.4% (n=10)
11.5% (n=11) 7.3%
(n=7)
39.6% (n=38)
20.8% (n=20)
0
10
20
30
40
50
Never Once a Month or Less
2-3 Times a Month
Once a Week 2-3 times a Week Daily Perc
ent o
f MLP
s re
port
ing
each
ca
tego
ry
Category of Frequency
![Page 22: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
I regret my decision to become an ML
59%
20%
21% Never
A few times per year
At least once a month
I think of giving up clinical work for another career
59% 27%
14%
Never
A few times per year
At least once a month
![Page 23: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Retention I am actively seeking other employment
32.6 30.5
14.7
10.5 9.5
2.1
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
Strongly Disagree
Disagree Neither Agree Nor Disagree
Agree Strongly Agree No Response
Perc
ent
![Page 24: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Individual Motivating Factors 1. The main motivating factor for MLPs to apply to the program was the desire to have the skills necessary to provide reproductive health services to women in the rural areas where they had been working.
“…I applied because I wanted to improve my skills, and just to build some job satisfaction there, because I knew just being a Clinical Officer I was not doing much. I reached a stage where I would refer certain
conditions to someone else, but if I have those expertise I would deal with that problem myself. So that’s what compelled me to really go for this training.” (MLP_18)
![Page 25: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Individual Motivating Factors 2. Level of motivation closely linked to the presence of a supportive enabling environment, including when:
• roles were clearly understood
• skills were appropriately utilized • MLPs is appreciated by colleagues at district and facility level, and are regarded as
vital and motivated members of the health professional team.
![Page 26: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Drivers of the motivation
• Working for the community they once served as Clinical Officers
• Being respected and valued by facility staff and clinical teams • Being able to treat more complications
![Page 27: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Individual Demotivating Factors • Lack of appreciation of MLP at the national policy level
• Inadequately defined roles and responsibilities
• ‘Dead end’ career pathways
![Page 28: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Short term and long term view
![Page 29: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Short term • Have accurate JDs and SOW for the cadre • Ensure regulatory bodies match regulation with training • Stock the district level facilities with all necessary supplies/equipment • Match the placement of MLPs to facilities with theatres • Give district level more autonomy to place MLPs where needed
![Page 30: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Long term • Training those already working in rural areas is crucial component • Enact policies to clearly support and place MLPs in the health system • Institute an on-call policy for MLPs • Create a career pathway for MLPs that is transparent and feasible • Identify ways to better support MLPs in rural facilities for CPD and retention • Ensure adequate funding is available for hiring and retaining clinicians for the
MLP training college • Address the continuing changes to the needs/demands of next generations
![Page 31: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Challenges to sustainability • Motivators are not always financial and depend on context of working
environment and individual • Current leaders of the MLP association are near retirement – new generations
bring different perspectives • Training is not the solution: recruitment, retention and career progression
matter a lot more • The demotivating factors are largely health systems problems • Mobility and urbanization
![Page 32: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Acknowledgements • Chainama College of Health Sciences (CCHS)
• Zambian MLPA
• Anna Meyers and Jordan Pfau
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark
• TRAction
![Page 33: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
"Opening the uterus and extracting a live baby.
Great joy."
![Page 34: TASK SHIFTING: GOOD FOR WOMEN BUT WHAT …...Task Shifting for CEmOC: Increasing access to c/sections • Acute human resource shortage • Inequitable distribution: focus on rural](https://reader036.vdocument.in/reader036/viewer/2022071021/5fd559fc77f77e4e6a6a7636/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Thank you
Translating Research into Action, TRAction, is funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under cooperative agreement No. GHS-A-00-09-00015-00. The project team includes prime recipient, University Research Co., LLC (URC), Harvard University School of Public
Health (HSPH), and sub-recipient research organizations.