Stakeholders’ Perception of the Palestinian Health Workforce Accreditation and Regulation System: A Focus on Conceptualization, Influencing Factors and Barriers, and the Way Forward

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Date
2022-07-01
Authors
Najjar, Shahenaz
Hafez, Sali
Al Basuoni, Aisha
Obaid, Hassan Abu
Mughnnamin, Ibrahim
Falana, Hiba
Sultan, Haya
Aljeesh, Yousef
Alkhaldi, Mohammed
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
The Health Workforce Accreditation and Regulation (HWAR) is a key function of the health system and is the subject of increasing global attention. This study provides an assessment of the factors affecting the Palestinian HWAR system, identifies existing gaps and offers actionable improvement solutions. Data were collected during October and November 2019 in twenty-two semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with experts, academics, leaders, and policymakers purposely selected from government, academia, and non-governmental organizations. The overall perceptions towards HWAR were inconsistent. The absence of a consolidated HWAR system has led to a lack of communication between actors. Environmental factors also affect HWAR in Palestine. The study highlighted the consensus on addressing further development of HWAR and the subsequent advantages of this enhancement. The current HWAR practices were found to be based on personal initiatives rather than on a systematic evidence-based approach. The need to strengthen law enforcement was raised by numerous participants. Additional challenges were identified, including the lack of knowledge exchange and salary adjustments. HWAR in Palestine needs to be strengthened on the national, institutional, and individual levels through clear and standardized operating processes. All relevant stakeholders should work together through an integrated national accreditation and regulation system. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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This article is licensed under Creative Commons License and full text is openly accessible in CUD Digital Repository. The version of the scholarly record of this article is published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022), available online at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138131
Keywords
accreditation and regulations , health system , health workforce , Palestine
Citation
Najjar, S., Hafez, S., Al Basuoni, A., Obaid, H. A., Mughnnamin, I., Falana, H., . . . Alkhaldi, M. (2022). Stakeholders’ perception of the palestinian health workforce accreditation and regulation system: A focus on conceptualization, influencing factors and barriers, and the way forward. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13) doi:10.3390/ijerph19138131
URI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138131
 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12519/685
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Department of Environmental Health Sciences