Dual employment of health workers: what is it and its impact, why is it present, and what steps the government can tak
Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES)DRRES-12
This Rapid Response should be cited as
ACRES (2011) Dual employment of health workers: what is it and its impact, why is it present, and what steps the government can take; A Rapid Response Brief. Kampala: The Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis
Summary
Background: The government of Uganda, like many others worldwide, is concerned about dual employment (moonlighting) of health workers. Dual practice is common across countries, even those with strong regulations. Findings: The impact of dual practice includes predatory behavior, conflicts of interest, brain drain, competition for time and access for public sector patients, and increased income for health workers. It exists mostly to compensate for low income levels and inadequate working environments. Conclusion: Dual practice is a complex issue with diverse causes. Improvement is likely to come from a combination of small measures that create a proper working environment.