Streamlining and modernising medical workforce governance: An examination of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
International Journal of Health Governance
ISSN: 2059-4631
Article publication date: 25 July 2019
Issue publication date: 1 August 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the elements of effective policies and processes to inform future health professional regulation reforms and practice in the Emirates.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on qualitative exploratory methodology. Methods of data collection and analysis included document analysis of the relevant literature, newspapers (as featured on their online websites), policy documents and official statistics. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, including employers in the health and higher education sectors in Ras Al Khaimah, human resources managers, regulators and public health professionals and scholars.
Findings
This paper brings to light the issues of maldistribution of the medical workforce, Emiritisation and examines implications for more effective medical workforce governance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Originality/value
First, the study provides policy recommendations for medical workforce governance in the context of UAE. Next, empirical studies on health workforce governance in the Middle East’s Gulf Cooperation Council are lacking and primarily focus on the international mobility of expatriates. The study addresses the lack of empirical studies on this topic in the UAE. Third, the UAE is a fertile ground for research on medical workforce governance and, more broadly, the mobility of health professionals due to its economic diversification strategy and thriving medical tourism industry.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted in collaboration with the Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University and Ras Al Khaimah Hospital. It was conducted in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and there are plans to conduct a broader health workforce governance studies in the UAE and the greater Gulf region in the future. The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable support received from the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. The authors also wish to thank the colleagues from Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, Government of Dubai, Dean RAK College of Nursing, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University for their generous assistance with the fieldwork.
Citation
Short, S.D., Hawal, N., Albusaidi, N.S. and Purwaningrum, F. (2019), "Streamlining and modernising medical workforce governance: An examination of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 194-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-12-2018-0074
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited