Building capacity for frontline workers is a complicated challenge that does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. However, different situations have clear solutions.
Frontline workers are frequently overburdened in developing countries, and building their capacity is difficult. Despite this, there are effective ways to support them.
Improve training quality
It is often important to focus on hiring more frontline workers, but ensuring that they are highly skilled is just as essential.
Many small things make the difference between effective and ineffective training. How master trainers are trained, the way a cascade is implemented, the scope and rigour of quality assurance, the quality of assessments to see what has been learned, and the follow ups to ensure implementation, are all critical.
In places where internet access is often high, the delivery of training through large-scale virtual meetings, apps or videos, can be highly effective and cost effective, at least for some types of knowledge and skill. While many approaches to e-learning have proven ineffective, there is emerging evidence that it can be a highly powerful tool when implemented correctly and used for the right types of skills and knowledge.
Hire more frontline workers
One of the most obvious solutions to reducing burdens for frontline workers is to hire more of them. This approach should be pursued when understaffing is an issue, which is often the case throughout developing countries.
In an area where we work, there are approximately 7,000 employed nurses available to treat a population of almost 15 million people. Only 1,000 of these nurses work full-time. In this situation, there needs to be a focus on employing more nurses. Otherwise, patient demand will never be met.
Equalise gender gaps
In many developing countries, women are often overlooked for jobs, due to economic and social reasons. In some cultures, for example, there is scepticism about whether or not it is safe for women to be left alone with men in health facilities. While this reduces the number of skilled frontline workers available, it also makes it difficult for male health workers to access some households and cultures, particularly when a male guardian is not present. Some households simply prefer to have female staff treating women.
Ultimately, there are many benefits to equalising the workforce in developing countries, which is why it should be a priority in future.
Building capacity for frontline workers
Building capacity at scale is difficult, and requires governments and their partners to get many small details right. But when implemented effectively, it can deliver enormous benefits to citizens in terms of improved services and outcomes.
