Independent regulatory agencies and Australia's health workforce crisis: Lessons from the gynaecological cancers workforce
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 1 March 2011
Abstract
Purpose
Workforce shortages and maldistribution in the health care sector are the outcome of poor planning processes, entrenched power relations, jurisdictional boundaries and professional silos. In seeking to redress these problems, countries are moving toward establishing independent agencies to monitor, regulate and shape the health workforce. In Australia, for example, Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has been established to provide data on workforce numbers and fund clinical education. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether this strategy is likely to work. By locating HWA within the framework of an Independent Regulatory Agency, the implicit strengths and weaknesses of using HWA to manage workforce planning are highlighted.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical discussion on regulatory capitalism and Independent Regulatory Authorities provides the context for the case study: the gynaecological cancer workforce – a niche health workforce that is complex and multidisciplinary. Data are from a mixed method study commissioned by Cancer Australia.
Findings
The analysis of the gynaecological cancer workforce illustrates the difficulties that HWA will face in defining the health workforce, in measuring supply and demand and in setting targets for training and education.
Research limitations/implications
Findings are limited by the fact that HWA was only established in mid 2009.
Social implications
The establishment of independent agencies to oversee and implement government policy is a new form of control over universities and health professionals that challenges their professional autonomy.
Originality/value
This paper points to the creation of new agencies of government control in the wake of an international health workforce crisis.
Keywords
Citation
Willis, E. and King, D. (2011), "Independent regulatory agencies and Australia's health workforce crisis: Lessons from the gynaecological cancers workforce", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 31 No. 1/2, pp. 21-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443331111104788
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited