Health Professions Education Strategies for Enhancing Capacity for Task-Shifting and Task-Sharing Implementation in Africa: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Introduction: To compensate for the shortage of health workers and effectively use the available health workforce to provide access to health services at various levels of the health system, several countries are implementing task-shifting and task-sharing (TSTS). This scoping review was conducted to synthesize evidence on health professions education (HPE) strategies applied to enhance capacities for TSTS implementation in Africa.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted using the enhanced Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews. The sources of evidence included CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

Results: Thirty-eight studies conducted in 23 countries provided insights on the strategies implemented in various health services contexts including general health, cancer screenings, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, emergency care, hypertension, tuberculosis, eye care, diabetes, mental health, and medicines. The HPE strategies applied were in-service training, onsite clinical supervision and mentoring, periodic supportive supervision, provision of job aides, and preservice education.

Discussion: Scaling up HPE based on the evidence from this study will contribute immensely to enhancing the capacity of health workers in contexts where TSTS are being implemented or planned to provide quality health services based on the population's health needs.