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Implementing large-scale primary health care workforce reforms: a narrative literature review of middle-income country experiences

Author

Listed:
  • Mehta, Akriti
  • Kaur, Prabhjeet
  • Schleiff, Meike J.
  • Patenaude, Bryan N.
  • Rao, Krishna D.

Abstract

A competent, adequate, motivated health workforce is key to strengthening primary health care (PHC). This study examined PHC workforce reform experiences of five middle income countries to deepen understanding and identify lessons for other countries as they strengthen PHC to meet emerging, diverse health needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehta, Akriti & Kaur, Prabhjeet & Schleiff, Meike J. & Patenaude, Bryan N. & Rao, Krishna D., 2026. "Implementing large-scale primary health care workforce reforms: a narrative literature review of middle-income country experiences," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:388:y:2026:i:c:s0277953625010482
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Agartan, Tuba I., 2015. "Health workforce policy and Turkey's health care reform," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(12), pages 1621-1626.
    2. Jesse Bump & Susan Sparkes & Mehtap Tatar & Yusuf Celik & Meltem Aran & Claudia Rokx, 2014. "Turkey On The Way Of Universal Health Coverage Through The Health Transformation Program (2003-13)," Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Discussion Paper Series 93172, The World Bank.
    3. Jingyi Liao & Mengping Zhou & Chenwen Zhong & Cuiying Liang & Nan Hu & Li Kuang, 2021. "Effect of Family Practice Contract Services on the Perceived Quality of Primary Care among Patients with Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Study in Guangdong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Jinlin Liu & Karen Eggleston, 2022. "The Association between Health Workforce and Health Outcomes: A Cross-Country Econometric Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 609-632, September.
    5. Hughes, David & Leethongdee, Songkramchai & Osiri, Sunantha, 2010. "Using economic levers to change behaviour: The case of Thailand's universal coverage health care reforms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(3), pages 447-454, February.
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