2026/27 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

NUFF5436M Health Workforce Planning and Management

15 Credits Class Size: 30

Module manager: Mayeh Omar
Email: m.a.omar@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Pre-requisite qualifications

The same as the course

Pre-requisites

NONE

Co-requisites

NONE

Module replaces

NUFF5435M Human Resources Planning and Management for Health

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module will analyse the current theories and approaches to health workforce planning and management and their application to health systems development in low-middle income countries. The means for developing and the content of a strategic approach to human resources development (HRD) will be analysed, using conceptual frameworks for the coordination of health workforce development functions, i.e. planning, production and management. The module is also offered as a stand-alone (non credit bearing) short course (CPD).

Objectives

On successful completion of the module students will be able to::

a) analyse the relationship between health workforce planning, production and management to the health sector of LMICs context; and
b) address the key challenges to human resources planning, production and management in health systems of LMICs.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. critically analyse the principal structures and process of health workforce planning, production and management in a health care setting in low-middle income countries;
2. critically analyse the relationship between human resources planning, production and management in the health care sector in low-middle income countries;
3. evaluate issues related to gender and equity in health workforce planning, production and management
4. propose a strategic approach to health workforce management and development for the health sector in low-middle income countries.

Work related skills
-
Subject related skills
1. Appraise health workforce management techniques including job analysis, work allocation, supervision, performance review and conflict management in the content of low-income countries.

Academic related skills
2. Evaluate different approaches to analysing data and consider the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
3. Discuss their methodology and findings in a written essay, to the standard of that expected within an academic paper.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of how advances in generative AI can lead to issues in research design.

Syllabus

The following topics will be covered:
- current influences on international health workforce policies, barriers to change and the implementation of change;
- Frameworks for co-ordination of health workforce development in a health care system;
- the estimation of requirements and supply for health workforce planning;
- Existing gaps in health workforce production and strategies to address them;
- principal functions and techniques of health workforce planning and management for health will be analysed and key techniques will be practised through management exercises. particular attention will be paid to:
o employment (eg job analysis, job descriptions, recruitment and selection, induction)
o issues of gender, retention and change (eg work allocation, career structure and development, motivation and rewards),
o support (eg supervision, communication, employer and employee relations)
o development functions (e.g. in-service training and performance review) of human resources management and development, and leadership in human resources management.
o Human resources issues in conflict and emergency settings
- Role and strategies for training health workforce in the light of continuous professional development.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 7 2 14
Seminar 7 1 7
Independent online learning hours 20
Private study hours 109
Total Contact hours 21
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Private study

109

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

During the module, students will be working in groups on different topics of the module. These will cover aspects of the essay, i.e. identifying, critically analysing and developing aspects of health workforce planning, production and management. , They will also make presentations on the applicability of their learning to own home settings. These will be used as formative assessment and will be given feedback both by peers and tutor for clarification and aid in their written summative assessment.
General written feedback will be given to help students identify areas that required further development and improvement that will help in their summative assessment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework 3000 words - The aim of the essay is to give an opportunity to students to identify, critically analyse and develop aspects of health workforce planning, production and management in selected context. 100
Presentation Formative – students will make presentations and receive feedback 0
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 10/07/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team