[EQ] Health Workforce and International Migration

Health Workforce and International Migration:

Can New Zealand Compete?

Pascal Zurn and Jean-Christophe Dumont

OECD Health Working Paper No. 33

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, 2008

 

Available online PDF [58p.] at: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/46/41/40673065.pdf

 

“….This paper examines health workforce and migration policies in New Zealand, with a special focus on the international recruitment of doctors and nurses.

The health workforce in New Zealand, as in all OECD countries, plays a central role in the health system. Nonetheless, maybe more than for any other OECD country, the health workforce in New Zealand cannot be considered without taking into account its international dimension.

New Zealand has the highest proportion of migrant doctors among OECD countries, and one of the highest for nurses. There is no specific immigration policy for health professionals, although the permanent and temporary routes make it relatively easy for doctors and nurses who can get their qualification recognised to immigrate in New Zealand. At the same time, New Zealand also has high emigration rates of health workers, mainly to other OECD countries. International migration is thus at the same time an opportunity and a challenge for the management of the human resources for health (HRH) in New Zealand.

Increasing international competition for highly skilled workers raises important issues such as sustainability and ability to compete in a global market. In this context, new approaches to improve the international recruitment of health workers, as well as developing alternative policies, may need to be considered. As for international recruitment, better coordination and stronger collaboration between main stakeholders could contribute to more effective and pertinent international recruitment….”

 

Content:

SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION

1. OVERVIEW

Health workforce density: occupational, regional and trend variations Demographic characteristics of the health workforce: feminization and ageing

Immigrant and expatriate health workforce: New Zealand in a global context

2. HEALTH WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT: TAKING ADVANTAGE OF INTERNATIONAL  MOBILITY

2.1 Health Care reforms and health workforce planning

2.2 Education policies and recognition of foreign qualification

2.3 National and international recruitment

Estimating.and responding to.shortages of health personnel

International recruitments: immigration policy as a management tool of the health workforce?

2.4 Retention and emigration

2.4 Retirement

3. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

4. CAN NEW ZEALAND COMPETE?

CONCLUDING REMARKS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANNEX 1 Foreign-born health professionals by main country or region of origin, New Zealand

ANNEX 2 Medical education pathway in New Zealand

ANNEX

 

       *      *      *     *  
         This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate 
         information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic 
         health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics; 
         Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMS Area] 

         “Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
         and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
         Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.
         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         PAHO/WHO Website: http://www.paho.org/ 
         EQUITY List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html  

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.