Health professionals in Kenya: strategies to expand reach and reduce brain drain of psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists.

Journal: BJPsych international

Volume: 13

Issue: 3

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Professor and Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, East Africa, email Sharon.brownie@aku.edu; Adjunct Professor School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia; Research Associate and Member of the Oxford PRAXIS Forum, Green Templeton College, Oxford University, UK. Quality Improvement Manager, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract summary 

This paper highlights the extent of the brain drain in relation to human resources for health (HRH) that is currently challenging Kenya, and suggests strategies that have the potential to change current working environments and improve HRH retention rates. Governments in partnership with health professional bodies and regulators could improve the working conditions for psychiatrists and mental health nurses: by promoting career choices in mental health; by providing accessible professional development opportunities; and by easing workload pressures by expanding service reach through thoughtfully planned and delivered task-shifting to primary care. While these strategies have the potential to make a significant difference, the evidence suggests a brain drain will continue as long as working conditions remain sub-optimal and global HRH shortages persist.

Authors & Co-authors:  Brownie Oywer

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Chankova, S., Muchiri, S. & Kombe, G. (2009) Health workforce attrition in the public sector in Kenya: a look at the reasons. Human Resources for Health, 7, 58.
Authors :  2
Identifiers
Doi : 
SSN : 2056-4740
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Kenya
Publication Country
England