International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Have Non-physician Clinicians Come to Stay?; Comment on “Non-physician Clinicians in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Evolving Role of Physicians”

Document Type : Commentary

Author
Gottlieb Lobe Monekosso 1, 2
1 Regional Office for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO), Republic of Congo, Africa
2 Global Health Dialogue, Buea, Cameroon
10.15171/ijhpm.2016.86
Abstract
A decade ago, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 24% of the global disease burden but was served by only 4% of the global health workforce. The chronic shortage of medical doctors has led other health professionals especially nurses to perform the role of healthcare providers. These health workers have been variously named clinical officers, health officers, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physician associates and non-physician clinicians (NPCs) defined as “health workers who have fewer clinical skills than physicians but more than nurses.” Although born out of exigencies, NPCs, like previous initiatives, seem to have come to stay and many more medical doctors are being trained to care for the sick and to supervise other health team members. Physicians also have to assume new roles in the healthcare system with consequent changes in medical education.
Keywords
Non-physician Clinician (NPC)
Physician
Tradi-Practitioner
Health Worker
Healthcare
Workforce
Medical Education
Subjects
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 5, Issue 11
2016
Pages 671-672

  • Received Date 28 May 2016
  • Revised Date 29 June 2016
  • Accepted Date 22 June 2016
  • First Published Date 01 November 2016
  • Published Date 01 November 2016