Dr. Michelle Falkenbach, along with international colleagues, recently published a paper in the International Journal of Health Planning and Management that asks the question “Are health systems and their health workforce resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic?”

This article looks at the reactivity and proactivity of health systems, and more specifically the health workforce, in six countries (Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings point to governance as the key to effective health system response, and that the recognition of health professionals as integral parts of governance during the pandemic is essential.

“To improve health system resilience, countries need to improve health workforce capacities and strengthen the integration of health professions in health governance,” say Falkenbach.

Written by Katie Lesser