The Scope and Challenges of Medical Technology Allied Health Professionals in Pakistan: Challenges of Allied Health Professionals

Khadija shah; Fahad Ahmed; Nazish Nizar Ali; Atiya Rahman Rohilla

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v7i07.1080

Authors

Khadija shah Department of Allied Health Sciences, Indus College of Medical Technology and Allied Health, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Fahad Ahmed Department of Allied Health Sciences, Indus College of Medical Technology and Allied Health, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Nazish Nizar Ali Department of Allied Health Sciences, Indus College of Medical Technology and Allied Health, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Atiya Rahman Rohilla Department of Allied Health Sciences, Indus College of Medical Technology and Allied Health, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v7i07.1080

Keywords:

Allied Health Professionals, Healthcare Workforce, Professional Recognition

Abstract

WHO and the US Department of Health and Human Services both define AHPs as healthcare professionals with specific connections to the art and science of healthcare, and expertise in therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive interventions, showing leadership in clinical and technical proficiency. AHPs include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dieticians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. A growing number of AHPs in Pakistan are becoming stronger and more well-known in the healthcare system. The growing population and increased demand for health care professionals. In this modern era, where the country faces a brain drain of other known professions, increasing the demand for skilled AHPs who play a vital role in patient care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The increasing scope of AHPs is highlighted by factors such as public awareness of preventive and rehabilitative healthcare, government initiatives supporting workforce development, and the growth of academic institutions providing AH sciences programs. On March 5, 2022, the Pakistan AHPC was established to strengthen the unified professional body on a single platform. AHPs in Pakistan face challenges such as gaining formal recognition, enhancing education by implementing master's programs in all specialties, strategizing workforce planning, and boosting advocacy to empower the council in granting global acknowledgment to registered professionals. The AHPC is in its initial stages and must develop formal job descriptions for technicians and technologists, as well as establish pay scale recognition

References

Hassan S. Nursing Shortage in Pakistan: Nursing Shortage in Pakistan. NURSEARCHER (Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Sciences). 2023 Jun; 24-5. doi: 10.54393/nrs.v3i01.39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54393/nrs.v3i01.39

Smiley RA, Ruttinger C, Oliveira CM, Hudson LR, Allgeyer R, Reneau KA et al. The 2020 national nursing workforce survey. Journal of Nursing Regulation. 2021 Apr; 12(1): S1-96. doi: 10.1016/S2155-8256(21)00027-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(21)00027-2

a Sreedharan JK, Subbarayalu AV, AlRabeeah SM, Karthika M, Shevade M, Al Nasser MA et al. Quality assurance in allied healthcare education narrative review. Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy: CJRT= Revue Canadienne de La Thérapie Respiratoire: RCTR. 2022 Jul; 58: 103-110. doi: 10.29390/cjrt-2022-009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29390/cjrt-2022-009

Khan R. Causes and Consequences of the Shortage of Physicians in Sindh, Pakistan: A Local Perspective. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2023 Aug; 73(8): 1693-9. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.7593. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.7593

Karamat J, Shurong T, Ahmad N, Afridi S, Khan S, Mahmood K. Promoting healthcare sustainability in developing countries: Analysis of knowledge management drivers in public and private hospitals of Pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019 Feb; 16(3): 508. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16030508. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030508

Firdos UZ, Asghar RS, Ashraf S. Managing Nursing brain drain from Pakistan. European Academic Research. 2020 Jan; 7(10): 5231-41.

Lapchmanan LM, Hussin DA, Mahat NA, Ng AH, Bani NH, Hisham S et al. Developing criteria for a profession to be considered as profession of allied health in Malaysia: a qualitative study from the Malaysian perspective. BioMed Central Health Services Research. 2024 Feb; 24(1): 165. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10569-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10569-0

Snowdon DA, Sargent M, Williams CM, Maloney S, Caspers K, Taylor NF. Effective clinical supervision of allied health professionals: a mixed methods study. BioMed Central Health Services Research. 2020 Dec; 20: 1-1. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4873-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4873-8

Mason J. Review of Australian Government Health Workforce Programs. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health; 2013.

Turnbull C, Grimmer-Somers K, Kumar S, May E, Law D, Ashworth E. Allied, scientific and complementary health professionals: a new model for Australian allied health. Australian Health Review. 2009 Feb; 33(1): 27-37. doi: 10.1071/AH090027. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/AH090027

McConville S, Bohn S, Beck L. Training Allied Workers. Public Policy Institute of California; 2017.

Saqib A, Atif M, Ikram R, Riaz F, Abubakar M, Scahill S. Factors affecting patients' knowledge about dispensed medicines: A Qualitative study of healthcare professionals and patients in Pakistan. PLOS One. 2018 Jun; 13(6): e0197482. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197482

Issenberg SB, McGaghie WC, Hart IR, Mayer JW, Felner JM, Petrusa ER et al. Simulation technology for health care professional skills training and assessment. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1999 Sep; 282(9): 861-6. doi: 10.1001/jama.282.9.861. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.282.9.861

Kneebone R. Simulation in surgical training: educational issues and practical implications. Medical Education. 2003 Mar; 37(3): 267-77. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2923.2003.01440.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2003.01440.x

Lizarondo L, Kumar S, Hyde L, Skidmore D. Allied health assistants and what they do: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. 2010 Aug; 143-53. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S12106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S12106

Hay J, LaBree L, Luo R, Clark F, Carlson M, Mandel D et al. Cost‐effectiveness of preventive occupational therapy for independent‐living older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2002 Aug; 50(8): 1381-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50359.x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50359.x

Keane S, Lincoln M, Smith T. Retention of allied health professionals in rural New South Wales: a thematic analysis of focus group discussions. BioMed Central Health Services Research. 2012 Dec; 12: 1-1. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-175

Penman M, Raymond J, Kumar A, Liang RY, Sundar K, Thomas Y. Allied health professions accreditation standards for work integrated learning: A document analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023 Jul; 20(15): 6478. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20156478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20156478

Meo SA, Eldawlatly AA, Sultan T. Impact of unstable environment on the brain drain of highly skilled professionals, healthcare workers, researchers, and research productivity in Pakistan. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia. 2024 Jan; 18(1): 48-54. doi: 10.4103/sja.sja_549_23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.sja_549_23

Grimmer K and Kumar S. Allied health task-related evidence. Journal of Social Work Research and Evaluation. 2005 Oct; 6(2): 143.

Alhurishi SA, Aljuraiban GS, Alshaikh FA, Almutairi MM, Almutairi KM. Predictors of students' academic achievements in allied health professions at King Saud University: a retrospective cohort study. BioMed Central Medical Education. 2021 Dec; 21: 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02525-x. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02525-x

Rawekar A, Gotarkar S, Patond S, Dakhode S. Challenges of Allied Healthcare Professionals in India--Establishing the Council is Need of the Hour. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. 2020 Oct; 14(4). doi: 10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.11485. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.11485

McPherson K, Kersten P, George S, Lattimer V, Breton A, Ellis B et al. A systematic review of evidence about extended roles for allied health professionals. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy. 2006 Oct; 11(4): 240-7. doi: 10.1258/135581906778476544. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1258/135581906778476544

Sequeira U, Faculty R, Nayar S. Development in Medical Education: International Perspectives. New York: Nova Science Publishers; 2019.

Rajani A and Khan MH. Career and Service Structure of Allied Health Science in Pakistan, a Perspective in Question. PJR (Polish Journal of Radiology). 2016 Jul; 18(3).

Gaur V. An overview of redefining paradigm: India's allied health professional. International Journal of Biochemistry Research. 2018 Jul; 1(1): 20-34.

Seaton J, Jones A, Johnston C, Francis K. Allied health professionals' perceptions of interprofessional collaboration in primary health care: an integrative review. Journal of Interprofessional Care. 2021 Mar; 35(2): 217-28. doi: 10.1080/13561820.2020.1732311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2020.1732311

National Academies of Sciences, Division of Behavioral, Social Sciences, Medicine Division, Board on Behavioral, Sensory Sciences, Board on Health Sciences Policy, Committee on the Health, Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation, Loneliness in Older Adults. Social isolation and loneliness in older adults: Opportunities for the health care system. National Academies Press; 2020 Jun 14.

McGee P and Cole D. Advanced practice in allied health professions. Advanced practice in nursing and the allied health professionals. 3rd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. 2009 Jun: 29-42.

Giroud M. SAMU-System of Emergency Medical Assistance in France. Samu De France, France. 2016.

Allana A. The Role of Paramedics in Integrated Care (Master's thesis). University of Toronto (Canada); 2019.

McLean S, Charlesworth L, May S, Pollard N. Healthcare students' perceptions about their role, confidence and competence to deliver brief public health interventions and advice. BioMed Central Medical Education. 2018 Dec; 18: 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12909-018-1224-0. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1224-0

Comer C, Collings R, McCracken A, Payne C, Moore A. Allied Health Professionals' Perceptions of Research in the United Kingdom National Health Service: a survey of research capacity and culture. BioMed Central Health Services Research. 2022 Aug; 22(1): 1094. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08465-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08465-6

Singh V, Pollard K, Okasheh R, Percival J, Cramp F. Understanding the role of allied health professional support workers with exercise qualifications in the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan within allied health professional services in England. British Medical Journal Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2023 Aug; 9(3): e001625. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001625. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001625

Coombs C, Arnold J, Loan-Clarke J, Bosley S, Martin C. Allied health professionals' intention to work for the National health service: a study of stayers, leavers and returners. Health Services Management Research. 2010 May; 23(2): 47-53. doi: 10.1258/hsmr.2009.009019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1258/hsmr.2009.009019

DeLuca MA, Kurth AE, Hagopian A. Investing strategically in the global health workforce. New York University College of Nursing; 2013.