Review on provider payment mechanisms for healthcare workers in developing countries– opportunities and options

Item Description:

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The objective of WHO (www.who.int) is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. “Health”, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO’s main function is to act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.

The Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) is one of the six regions of the World Health Organization. Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, we work with health authorities and other partners in 37 countries and areas with more than one quarter of the world’s population.

BACKGROUND

In the era of sustainable development goals, universal health coverage (UHC) is a key priority for the health sector. Moving towards UHC however requires health system to prioritize health care purchasing reforms entailing decisions in three main action areas: what health services to pay for (benefit package), whom to pay (choice of health care providers), and how to pay for them (provider payment mechanisms).

Provider payment mechanisms are critical because they can create incentives and influence behaviour of health workers. However, their impact and suitability can be highly context‐specific and dependent on the availability of governance and institutional arrangements.

In most developing countries, the payment of healthcare workers is not composed of a single type of revenue but includes combinations of payment mechanisms, which differ by source of funding.

Many countries have used these payment mechanisms to optimize productivity of healthcare workers, transform clinical practice, and improve the quality of care.

Although there is a body literature on different provider payments, the information on the ability of provider payment mechanisms to achieve their objectives in developing country settings remains limited. Furthermore, there is little information on the specific characteristics of provider payments that healthcare workers respond to. Understanding the characteristics of provider payment mechanisms is important as countries in the Western Pacific Region decide on the design and implementation of payment reforms for healthcare workers.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a review of the literature of payment mechanisms’ impact on for healthcare providers and workers revenues to address the evidence gap and inform the design of health system reforms towards UHC in developing countries.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

In consultation with the Division of Health Systems and Services, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, the service provider will achieve the following objectives:

• Objective 1. Review the literature and other relevant information to:

o Identify the influence of payment mechanisms and their structure on revenues of healthcare providers and workers in improving access, quality, and efficiency of health care services.

o Understand the characteristics of provider payment mechanisms that influence healthcare providers’ and workers’ behaviour.

o Identify the effect of provider payment mechanisms and their revenue structure in

• attracting healthcare providers to work in outlying areas.
• coordination and effectiveness of multidisciplinary teams, patient centeredness, comprehensiveness or continuity of care
• Objective 2. Draft a technical report on the Provider payment mechanisms for healthcare workers in developing countries– opportunities and options.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Review existing resources, relevant documents and reports, in both the empirical literature and grey literature and other relevant sources of information.

The work can be carried out and completed remotely. However, the contractor may be requested to visit WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila on WHO’s expense.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION
Essential:
– Qualifications required:

A master’s degree or above in at least one of the following: health financing, health economics, human resource management, health system research, health policy and/or management is required.

Desirable: Prior experience in health financing and human resource management in developing country context.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:
– Experience required:

At least 7-10 years of relevant work experience in health financing and human resources for health, and research

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Experience in health financing, human resources for health, health policy and management, health services

Expert understanding of health financing especially in the context of developing countries

Good knowledge of health systems and health professional services

Excellent writing skills

LANGUAGES

Advanced English proficiency

COMPETENCIES

Effective communication, technical competence, ability to produce results

TOTAL WORKDAYS 

30 work days from 1 November – 15 December 2019

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at wproungm@who.int by date 18/10/2019.

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 97656 as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Peter Ellison – wproungm@who.int, Tel: +63 5289653, Fax: +63 5252512
Email: wproungm@who.int
First name: Peter
Surname: Ellison
Telephone country code: Philippines (+63)
Telephone number: 5289653
Telephone extension: 89653
Fax country code: Philippines (+63)
Fax number: 5252512