Associations, unions and everything in between

Contextualising the role of representative health worker organisations in policy

Bibliographic Data

ID21879544
AuthorsVeena Sriram (0000-0002-7465-5881, University of British Columbia, corresponding author), Sorcha A Brophy (0000-0002-2849-5303, Columbia University), Kartik Sharma (0000-0001-8326-4922, University of British Columbia), Maya Annie Elias (0000-0003-3855-0801, Azim Premji University), Arima Mishra (0000-0001-7218-9322, Azim Premji University)
Year2023
Volume8
Issue9
Pagese012661
Publication date2023-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012661
PMID37758667
OpenAlexW4387078907
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited35

Associations, unions and other organised groups representing health workers play a significant role in the development, adoption and implementation of health policy. These representative health worker organisations (RHWOs) are a key interface between employers, governments and their members (both actual and claimed), with varying degrees of influence and authority within and across countries. Existing research in global health often assumes—rather than investigates—the roles played by RHWOs in policy processes and lacks analytical specificity regarding the definitional characteristics of RHWOs. In this article, we seek to expand and complicate conceptualisations of RHWOs as key actors in global health by unpacking the heterogeneity of RHWOs and their roles in policy processes and by situating RHWOs in context. First, we define RHWOs, present a typology of RHWO dimensions and discuss perceived legitimacy of RHWOs as policy actors. Next, we unpack the roles of RHWOs in policy processes and distinguish RHWO roles in regulation from those of regulatory agencies. The final sections situate RHWOs in political and labour relations contexts, and in sociohistorical contexts, with attention to institutional frameworks, professional hierarchies and intersectional factors such as race, gender, sexuality, class, caste and religion. We conclude by outlining research gaps in the study of RHWOs and policy, and by encouraging global health researchers and practitioners to incorporate an expanded focus on these actors. Taking this approach will generate a wider range of strategies to better engage these organisations in policy processes and will ensure stronger health workforce policies globally

Caste · Health care · Legitimacy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Typology · Workforce · Global Health Workforce Issues · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Law · Health Policy

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