Health care managers' perspectives on workforce licensing practice in Ethiopia: A qualitative study.
Eshetu Cherinet TekaMeron Yakob GebreyesEndalkachew Tsedal AlemnehBiruk Hailu TesfayeFirew Ayalew DestaYohannes Molla AsemuErmias Gebreyohannes WoldeWondimu Daniel AshenaSamuel MengistuTewodros Abebaw MeleseFikadie Dagnew BisetBezawit Worku DegefuBethlehem Bizuayehu KebedeTangut Dagnew AzezeWudasie Teshome ShewatatekMelese Achamo SebokaAbera Bezabih GebreegziMekonnen Desie DegebasaTsedale Tafesse LemuYeshiwork Eshetu AbebeMatias Azanaw AlayuFatuma Ahmed EbrahimEden Workneh SahlemariamGenet Kifle WoldesemayatHailemaryam Balcha AdmassuBethlehem Shikabaw ChekolPublished in: PloS one (2024)
This study reported a suboptimal health professionals' licensing practice in Ethiopia, which is against the laws and proclamations of the country that state to employ all health workers only with professional licenses. Challenges for health professionals' licensing practice were identified as fraudulent academic credentials, a shortage of resources (HR, finance, equipment, and supplies), and a weak follow-up and coordination system. Further awareness of licensing practices should be created, especially for lower-level employers. Regulators shall establish a reliable digital system to consistently assure the quality of licensing practices. Health care managers must implement mechanisms to regularly monitor the licensing status of their employees and ensure that government requirements are met. Collaboration and regular communication between regulators and employers can improve quality practices.