Policy influence on radiographers^ recruitment and retention in the public healthcare sector of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa Nonkululeko Cibane, Prof Lina Puckree, Prof Muhammad Ehsanul Hoque
Management College of Southern Africa
Abstract
A global shortage and unequal distribution of healthcare workers threaten the operational capacity of healthcare systems worldwide. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there was a global shortage of healthcare providers, the specific shortage of radiographers has not been quantified. It is likely that the health care worker shortage which is predicted to reach 15 million by 2030 will include a similar exponential deficit in radiographer numbers. Hence, the aim of the study is to explore the influence of policies and strategies on radiographer^s recruitment and retention in the public health sector of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative document review method to collect data. Thirty strategies and polices were reviewed and was analysed thematically. The findings showed that policies and procedures for recruitment and retention were in place. However, the radiography profession was poorly perceived within the health care professions and neither represented within decision making bodies nor had an advisory board. The South African Department of Health has the most brilliant strategies but most suggested strategies usually fail at the implementation phase and therefore, it is necessary that effective implementation measures be adapted in order to ensure that healthcare professionals are attracted and retained in the health care facilities.
Keywords: Advisory board, healthcare system, shortage of radiographer
