Prioritization criteria in policies and management of human resources for health: a proposal for a validated methodology.

Objective: To create and validate criteria for prioritizing problems related to policies and management of the health workforce. Methods: This methodological study was divided into three stages. First, the criteria were elaborated by means of a systematized literature review. Second, the criteria were evaluated online by a committee of judges comprised of eight specialists. In the third stage, an evaluation was carried out by the target audience in a hybrid workshop. The participants evaluated the material using the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument, adapted for the research. Results: Three prioritization criteria (relevance, window of opportunity and acceptability) and a scoring scale were developed based on the literature review. In the evaluation by the committee of judges, the approval percentage of the criteria and prioritization method was 84%. Modifications were made based on suggestions in relation to the material presented to the specialists. In the pre-test stage, the approval percentage varied by item, with six of them reaching a maximum approval of 100% (corresponding to approximately 46% of the items), four reaching 92% and three achieving 83% each, indicating positive results. Conclusions: The developed criteria were considered valid for use in the context of policies and management in the area of human resources for health.

Implementation of policy and management interventions to improve health and care workforce capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted pre-existing weaknesses in health and care systems and services and shortages of health and care workers (HCWs). As a result, policymakers needed to adopt measures to improve the health and care workforce (HCWF) capacity. This review aims to identify countries' range of policies and management interventions implemented to improve HCWs' capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response, synthesize their evidence on effectiveness, and identify gaps in the evidence. METHODS: The literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, LILACS-BVS, WHO's COVID-19 Research Database and the ILO, OECD and HSRM websites for literature and documents published between January 2020 and March 2022. Eligibility criteria were HCWs as participants and policy and management interventions aiming to improve HCWF capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response. Risk of bias was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools (CAT) and certainty of the evidence in presented outcomes with GRADE. RESULTS: The searches retrieved 3378 documents. A total of 69 were included, but only 8 presented outcomes of interventions implemented. Most of the selected documents described at least one intervention implemented by countries at the organizational environment level to increase the flexibility and capacity of the HCWF to respond to the pandemic, followed by interventions to attract and retain HCWs in safe and decent working environments. There was a lack of studies addressing social protection, human resources for health information systems, and regarding the role of community health workers and other community-based providers. Regarding the risk of bias, most of documents were rated as medium or high quality (JBI's CAT), while the evidence presented for the outcomes of interventions was classified as mostly low-certainty evidence (GRADE). CONCLUSIONS: Countries have implemented various interventions, some innovative, in response to the pandemic, and others had their processes started earlier and accelerated by the pandemic. The evidence regarding the impact and efficacy of the strategies used by countries during the pandemic still requires further research.

Stock, composition and distribution of the nursing workforce in Brazil: a snapshot.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the availability (in terms of stock and composition) and accessibility (in terms of geographical distribution) of the nursing workforce in Brazil. METHOD: this is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, identified by combining databases available on institutional websites and structured according to indicators from the World Health Organization's "National Health Workforce Accounts". The study considered nursing professionals at senior level (nurses) and middle level (nursing auxiliaries and technicians). Indicators of stock, composition, distribution (by age group and gender) and the ratio of nurses to doctors were included. RESULTS: there was an increase in the number of personnel between 2005 and 2010, mainly in middle and technical level professionals. There are more personnel aged between 36 and 55, with a predominance of women in all categories, despite the increase in men. There was an uneven distribution of personnel across the country's regions, with the Southeast having the largest number of professionals. The ratio of nurses to doctors is less than one in the South and Southeast. CONCLUSION: despite the large number of nurses, their distribution is uneven. The growth of nursing technicians has significantly outstripped that of nurses, indicating more intensive technical training policies than those found in higher education.

Oral health policies and decision-making process in Brazil, Colombia and Chile.

Public health policies are crucial for the well-being of the general population; however, the health systems of developed countries still do not include oral health in its system. Thus, it is necessary to understand the process of decision-making in oral health policies to create opportunities for countries to achieve an overall positive health outcome, including oral health. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the inclusion of oral health on the political agenda in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The study sample involved decision-makers at political, technical, and academic levels. The extracted data were analyzed using the software Maxqda® and Kingdon´s theoretical model; defining interactive variables that produce a "window of opportunity" to define the agenda and the insertion of theme in formulating public policies. The decision-making process regarding oral health is influenced by many factors like the need to improve the overall oral health of the population, identified through national epidemiological studies, and the importance of individuals in positions involving political decision-making, who advocate for oral health. Strategies were developed in partnership with the academy that focused on the health rights of the population provided by law; territorial and national programs were also developed. The inclusion and creation of oral health policies depend on actors who advocate for thematic and scientific evidence to support decision-making. A close relationship between academia and stakeholders and knowledge translation is important for the development of public policies that can be effective for health systems.

Brazilian Oral health teams in primary care and oral cancer: Results of a national evaluation.

Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Brazil. An understanding of how public policies are implemented to address this problem can contribute to the construction of solutions. The "Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade" (PMAQ-AB and PMAQ-CEO) at the level of primary and secondary care are evaluations that also collect data on prevention and monitoring strategies for oral cancer. This study aimed to analyze the results of the incorporation of oral health teams to evaluate the strategies adopted by Brazil regarding the impact on the diagnosis of oral cancer. Of the 17,202 family health teams evaluated, 72.10% had oral health teams (OHT). Considering the strategies for prevention, screening, campaign, and follow-up of suspected cases, 72.27% of the campaign teams and 59.09% of the teams who accompanied suspected cases had OHT. In secondary care, more than 65% of the teams in the Southeast and South regions registered cases of oral cancer, and the referral network was more represented. The inclusion of OHT had a positive impact on campaign actions, follow-up, referral to specialists, and registration of suspected cases throughout Brazil.

Stock, composition and distribution of the nursing workforce in Brazil: a snapshot / Estoque, composição e distribuição da força de trabalho de enfermagem no Brasil: uma fotografia / Número, composición y distribución de la fuerza de trabajo de enfermería en Brasil: una fotografía

Abstract Objective: to analyze the availability (in terms of stock and composition) and accessibility (in terms of geographical distribution) of the nursing workforce in Brazil. Method: this is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, identified by combining databases available on institutional websites and structured according to indicators from the World Health Organization's "National Health Workforce Accounts". The study considered nursing professionals at senior level (nurses) and middle level (nursing auxiliaries and technicians). Indicators of stock, composition, distribution (by age group and gender) and the ratio of nurses to doctors were included. Results: there was an increase in the number of personnel between 2005 and 2010, mainly in middle and technical level professionals. There are more personnel aged between 36 and 55, with a predominance of women in all categories, despite the increase in men. There was an uneven distribution of personnel across the country's regions, with the Southeast having the largest number of professionals. The ratio of nurses to doctors is less than one in the South and Southeast. Conclusion: despite the large number of nurses, their distribution is uneven. The growth of nursing technicians has significantly outstripped that of nurses, indicating more intensive technical training policies than those found in higher education.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a disponibilidade (estoque e composição) e acessibilidade (distribuição geográfica) da força de trabalho de enfermagem no Brasil. Método: estudo descritivo e transversal, com coleta retrospectiva de dados, identificados por meio da combinação de bancos de dados disponíveis em sites institucionais e estruturados de acordo com indicadores das "Contas Nacionais da Força de Trabalho em Saúde" da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Consideraram-se, para o estudo, profissionais de enfermagem de nível superior (enfermeiros) e nível médio (auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem). Indicadores de estoque, composição, distribuição (por faixa etária e sexo) e razão de enfermeiros para médicos foram incluídos. Resultados: houve aumento no número de profissionais, entre 2005 e 2010, principalmente nos profissionais de nível médio e técnico. Há mais profissionais entre 36 e 55 anos, com predominância do sexo feminino em todas as categorias, apesar do aumento do sexo masculino. Observou-se distribuição desigual de profissionais nas regiões do país, sendo a região Sudeste a com maior número de profissionais. A razão de enfermeiros por médico é inferior a um nas regiões Sul e Sudeste. Conclusão: apesar do elevado contingente de enfermeiros, sua distribuição é desigual. O crescimento de técnicos de enfermagem superou significativamente o de enfermeiros, indicando políticas de formação técnica mais intensivas que as encontradas no ensino superior.

Resumen Objetivo: analizar la disponibilidad (en términos de número y composición) y accesibilidad (en términos de distribución geográfica) de la fuerza de trabajo de enfermería en Brasil. Método: estudio descriptivo y transversal, con recolección retrospectiva de datos, identificados a través de una combinación de bases de datos disponibles en sitios web institucionales y estructurados en función de los indicadores de las "Cuentas Nacionales del Personal de Salud" de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. La población del estudio fueron profesionales de enfermería de nivel superior (enfermeros) y nivel medio (auxiliares y técnicos en enfermería). Se incluyeron indicadores de número, composición, distribución (por franja etaria y sexo) y razón entre enfermeros y médicos. Resultados: aumentó el número de personal entre 2005 y 2010, principalmente la de nivel medio y técnico. La mayoría del personal tiene entre 36 y 55 años y predomina el sexo femenino en todas las categorías, pese a que aumentó la cantidad de trabajadores do sexo masculino. Se observó que la distribución de personal en las diferentes regiones de Brasil era desigual y la región Sudeste es la que tiene la mayor cantidad de profesionales. La proporción de enfermeros por médico es inferior a uno en las regiones Sur y Sudeste. Conclusión: a pesar de que la cantidad de enfermeros es elevada, la distribución es desigual. El aumento de la cantidad de técnicos en enfermería superó significativamente al de enfermeros, lo que indica que las políticas de formación técnica son más intensivas que las observadas en la educación superior.

Prioritization criteria in policies and management of human resources for health: a proposal for a validated methodology / Criterios para la asignación de prioridades en materia de políticas y gestión de recursos humanos para la salud: propuesta de una metodología validada / Critérios de priorização em políticas e gerenciamento de recursos humanos em saúde: proposta para uma metodologia validada

ABSTRACT Objective. To create and validate criteria for prioritizing problems related to policies and management of the health workforce. Methods. This methodological study was divided into three stages. First, the criteria were elaborated by means of a systematized literature review. Second, the criteria were evaluated online by a committee of judges comprised of eight specialists. In the third stage, an evaluation was carried out by the target audience in a hybrid workshop. The participants evaluated the material using the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument, adapted for the research. Results. Three prioritization criteria (relevance, window of opportunity and acceptability) and a scoring scale were developed based on the literature review. In the evaluation by the committee of judges, the approval percentage of the criteria and prioritization method was 84%. Modifications were made based on suggestions in relation to the material presented to the specialists. In the pre-test stage, the approval percentage varied by item, with six of them reaching a maximum approval of 100% (corresponding to approximately 46% of the items), four reaching 92% and three achieving 83% each, indicating positive results. Conclusions. The developed criteria were considered valid for use in the context of policies and management in the area of human resources for health.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Crear y validar criterios para priorizar los problemas relacionados con las políticas y la gestión de los recursos humanos para la salud. Métodos. Este estudio metodológico se dividió en tres etapas. En la primera se elaboraron los criterios mediante una revisión sistematizada de la bibliografía. En la segunda un comité de ocho especialistas evaluó en línea los criterios. Y la tercera consistió en una evaluación por parte del público destinatario en un taller híbrido. Los participantes evaluaron el material utilizando el instrumento de evaluación de la idoneidad de los materiales, que fue adaptado para la investigación. Resultados. Sobre la base de la revisión de la bibliografía, se elaboraron tres criterios para la asignación de prioridades (relevancia, ventana de oportunidad y aceptabilidad) y una escala de puntuación. En la evaluación realizada por el comité de especialistas, el porcentaje de aprobación de los criterios y del método de asignación de prioridades fue del 84%. Se realizaron modificaciones basadas en sugerencias planteadas con respecto al material presentado a los especialistas. En la etapa posterior de prueba preliminar, el porcentaje de aprobación varió en los distintos puntos, de tal manera que en seis puntos (es decir, en aproximadamente el 46% de los puntos) se alcanzó una aprobación máxima del 100%, en cuatro una aprobación del 92% y en tres una aprobación del 83% en cada uno, lo que indica unos resultados positivos. Conclusiones. Se consideró que los criterios elaborados son válidos para su uso en el contexto de las políticas y la gestión en el ámbito de los recursos humanos para la salud.

RESUMO Objetivo. Criar e validar critérios para priorizar problemas relacionados a políticas e gerenciamento da força de trabalho em saúde. Métodos. O presente estudo metodológico foi dividido em três fases. Primeiro, foram elaborados critérios por meio de revisão sistematizada da literatura. A seguir, os critérios foram avaliados on-line por uma comissão de juízes composta por oito especialistas. Na terceira fase, o público-alvo fez uma avaliação dos critérios em uma oficina de formato híbrido. Os participantes avaliaram o material usando o instrumento Suitability Assessment of Materials, adaptado para esta pesquisa. Resultados. Com base na revisão da literatura, foram elaborados três critérios de priorização (relevância, janela de oportunidade e aceitabilidade) e uma escala de pontuação. Na avaliação da comissão de juízes, a porcentagem de aprovação dos critérios e do método de priorização foi de 84%. Foram feitas alterações com base em sugestões relacionadas ao material apresentado aos especialistas. Na fase de pré-teste, a porcentagem de aprovação variou de acordo com o item. Seis deles (aproximadamente 46% dos itens) atingiram aprovação máxima de 100%, quatro atingiram 92% e três atingiram 83%, indicando resultados positivos. Conclusões. Os critérios desenvolvidos foram considerados válidos para uso no contexto de políticas e gerenciamento na área de recursos humanos em saúde.

Oral health policies and decision-making process in Brazil, Colombia and Chile

Abstract Public health policies are crucial for the well-being of the general population; however, the health systems of developed countries still do not include oral health in its system. Thus, it is necessary to understand the process of decision-making in oral health policies to create opportunities for countries to achieve an overall positive health outcome, including oral health. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the inclusion of oral health on the political agenda in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile. The study sample involved decision-makers at political, technical, and academic levels. The extracted data were analyzed using the software Maxqda® and Kingdon´s theoretical model; defining interactive variables that produce a "window of opportunity" to define the agenda and the insertion of theme in formulating public policies. The decision-making process regarding oral health is influenced by many factors like the need to improve the overall oral health of the population, identified through national epidemiological studies, and the importance of individuals in positions involving political decision-making, who advocate for oral health. Strategies were developed in partnership with the academy that focused on the health rights of the population provided by law; territorial and national programs were also developed. The inclusion and creation of oral health policies depend on actors who advocate for thematic and scientific evidence to support decision-making. A close relationship between academia and stakeholders and knowledge translation is important for the development of public policies that can be effective for health systems.

Brazilian Oral health teams in primary care and oral cancer: Results of a national evaluation

Abstract Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Brazil. An understanding of how public policies are implemented to address this problem can contribute to the construction of solutions. The "Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade" (PMAQ-AB and PMAQ-CEO) at the level of primary and secondary care are evaluations that also collect data on prevention and monitoring strategies for oral cancer. This study aimed to analyze the results of the incorporation of oral health teams to evaluate the strategies adopted by Brazil regarding the impact on the diagnosis of oral cancer. Of the 17,202 family health teams evaluated, 72.10% had oral health teams (OHT). Considering the strategies for prevention, screening, campaign, and follow-up of suspected cases, 72.27% of the campaign teams and 59.09% of the teams who accompanied suspected cases had OHT. In secondary care, more than 65% of the teams in the Southeast and South regions registered cases of oral cancer, and the referral network was more represented. The inclusion of OHT had a positive impact on campaign actions, follow-up, referral to specialists, and registration of suspected cases throughout Brazil.

Teledentistry and the Unified Health System: An Important Tool for the Resumption of Primary Health Care in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract This paper describes the possibilities of using Teledentistry to expand and qualify health care in oral health care networks. WHO already recommended to its member countries, even before the pandemic, Telehealth as a strategy to improve the quality of services, especially in universal systems, as the Unified Health System (SUS). Teledentistry opens opportunities for oral health to resume the provision of various services, remotely, such as: 1) Tracking, active search, monitoring of priority users, those at risk and with systemic problems, suspicions of COVID-19 and contacts, through Telemonitation; 2) Initial listening, individual or collective educational activities, through Teleorientation; 3) Discussion of clinical cases for the definition of the opportunity / need for operative procedures, matrix support, sharing, solution of doubts among professionals and between these and teaching and research institutions, by Teleconsulting, among others. In addition to a review of Teledentistry in the context of the pandemic, we conceptualized the terms used and possibilities offered to SUS professionals, in addition to specifying the possible protocols for recording these activities to provide safe data for their monitoring and evaluation. Besides, we bring a brief discussion with promising experiences, carried out in the pre- and trans-pandemic contexts, which can be important strategies for the resumption of oral health in the post-pandemic scenario.

Compreensão do processo de implementação de Programas e Políticas de Saúde Bucal na América Latina / Understanding the implementation process of Oral Health Programs and Policies in Latin America

Introdução: As políticas em saúde pública são importantes para o bem-estar da população em geral, e a saúde bucal está inserida no contexto de saúde integral, desta forma os responsáveis por criarem as políticas e programas de saúde bucal são elementos chaves para a criação de políticas que visam melhorar a saúde da população de um país. Objetivos: Identificar como foi o processo de implementação das políticas de saúde bucal, no contexto do uso da evidência, agenda política e barreiras de implementação nos países envolvidos: Brasil, Colômbia e Chile. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com entrevistas presenciais com atores-chaves no processo de implementação em cada país, foi realizada análise de conteúdo e os dados foram categorizados com uso do Maxqda®. Resultados: Apesar dos países apresentarem sistemas de saúde diferentes, observou-se que durante o processo de implementação das políticas de saúde, o uso da evidência científica ainda é restrito e a participação da academia mostrou-se necessária para a elaboração das políticas de saúde. Em relação ao processo de inclusão na agenda, os resultados de estudos epidemiológicos tiveram um papel indutor, além da necessidade de atores chaves que advoguem a favor do tema. A principal barreiras citada pelos países é a formação do dentista, que ainda é voltada para o atendimento clínico individual e privado. Conclusão: Os formuladores de políticas devem compreender a importância da odontologia no sistema de saúde, a academia deve se aproximar da gestão de modo a informar as políticas para ser elaborada com uso da evidência cientifica e estimular a sensibilização dos futuros profissionais para este tema.