Health Worker Labor Supply, Absenteeism, and Job Choice

Seeks to set out a microeconomic analysis as a starting point for a better understanding of health worker labor supply, absenteeism, and occupational choice, using the evidence available for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as the relevant insights from high-income countries, to (1) discuss the appropriate framework for analysis of labor supply, absenteeism, job choice, and dual work; (2) present the available evidence on each of these topics and lessons to be learned for policy making; (3) discuss the types of analysis that can improve understanding, distinguishing between descriptive and casual analysis; and (4) focus on data and measurement. While reliable data on the labor supply of health workers both across countries and at a country level remain scarce, microeconomic analysis offers the best starting point to building a better understanding of health worker labor supply. Recent evidence has identified major challenges for the delivery of micro-level health care, including health worker presence and on-the-job performance.