Distribution of the workforce involved in cancer care: a systematic review of the literature☆
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ABSTRACT: Background
A skilled health workforce is instrumental for the delivery of multidisciplinary cancer care and in turn a critical component of the health systems. There is, however, a paucity of data on the vast inequalities in cancer workforce distribution, globally. The aim of this study is to describe the global distribution and density of the health care workforce involved in multidisciplinary cancer management. Methods
We carried out a systematic review of the literature to determine ratios of health workers in each occupation involved in cancer care per 100 000 population and per 100 cancer patients (PROSPERO: protocol CRD42018095414). Results
We identified 33 eligible papers; a majority were cross-sectional surveys (n = 16). The analysis of the ratios of health providers per population and per patients revealed deep gaps across the income areas, with gradients of workforce density, highest in high-income countries versus low-income areas. Benchmark estimates of optimal workforce availability were provided in a secondary research analysis: mainly high-income countries reported workforce capacities closer to benchmark estimates. A paucity of literature was defined for critical health providers, including for pediatric oncology, surgical oncology, and cancer nurses. Conclusion
The availability and distribution of the cancer workforce is heterogeneous, and wide gaps are described worldwide. This is the first systematic review on this topic. These results can inform policy formulation and modelling for capacity building and scaleup. Highlights • Workforce is an essential component of the health systems.• Stark inequalities are reported for the distribution of health workforce worldwide, but data are limited.• We aimed at portraying the first global figure of the comprehensive cancer workforce for cancer management.• Inequalities in density and distribution of the workforce regard all the key health personnel involved in cancer management.• These data will inform the development of evidence-informed policies for the workforce in low- and middle-income countries.
SUBMITTER: Trapani D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8591344 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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