Mapping the global landscape of task shifting and sharing

Trends, geographic disparities, and terminology from 1970 to 2022

Bibliographic Data

ID15295476
AuthorsShukanto Das (0000-0001-5114-3923, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, corresponding author), Lorna Grant (0000-0001-7248-7792, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh), David Fearon (0000-0002-0295-3118, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh)
Year2025
Volume35
Issue1
Publication date2025-05-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0958-1596 • E-ISSN: 1469-3682
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09581596.2025.2501495
OpenAlexW4410259707
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited76

Introduction: Task shifting and sharing (TS/S) are strategies for redistributing healthcare services among providers, popular in settings facing workforce crunches. A comprehensive mapping of global TS/S research remains lacking despite widespread implementation. Theory: We apply bibliographic techniques to map where TS/S has been prioritised, revealing patterns that inform implementation science and future strategies. Methods: We searched five databases, Medline, CINAHL Plus, Elsevier, Global Health, and Google Scholar, in October 2022 to analyse 2,072 articles (found between 1970 and 2022), based on relevance to TS/S and geographical representation. We extracted data on countries where studies were conducted, the terminology describing TS/S, and the study’s focus. Results: TS/S research concentrates on African and South Asian countries, led by South Africa (n = 201), India (n = 130), Uganda (n = 109), Kenya (n = 106), and Malawi (n = 86). Publications increased dramatically after 2006–2008, coinciding with key WHO reports. ‘Task shifting’ was the predominant descriptor (66.0%), followed by ‘task sharing’ (24.0%), ‘task delegation’ (6.0%), and ‘task shifting and sharing’. HIV (n = 450) and depression (n = 375) were the most studied conditions, while 42.5% of articles focused on broader systems and policy issues rather than specific diseases. Discussion: Geographic disparities, language inconsistencies, and disease-specific applications suggest the need for targeted implementation in underrepresented regions, terminology standardisation, and expanded applications. Addressing these can optimise implementation strategies, enhancing outcomes

Economics · Environmental resource management · Geography · Linguistics · Management · Political science · Regional science · Task (project management · Task force · Terminology · Employment and Welfare Studies · Public Administration · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Workplace Health and Well-being

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