The Role of Human Resources in Providing Quality Healthcare Services

The Role of Human Resources in Providing Quality Healthcare Services

There are numerous examples of advanced medical facilities equipped with the most expensive, state-of-the-art technologies, yet they suffer from poor service quality. This is often due to human resources that fall below the required standards for delivering exceptional healthcare. In this article, we will review the crucial roles of each team member within a healthcare facility.

Doctors

Medicine has existed since ancient times and remains the backbone of healthcare and the primary entry point to the health system in almost all countries. Until the beginning of the 20th century, medicine was largely an apprenticeship; education and skills were acquired by shadowing scientists and doctors, discussing medical cases, and learning through practice. Back then, there were no specific regulations, defined standards, or established healthcare quality services.

The Contractual Relationship Between Doctor and Patient

The relationship or contract between a doctor and a patient is primarily governed by ethical duties, contract law, and medical ethics. When a doctor agrees to treat a patient, a contractual relationship is established by mutual consent. According to these laws, the doctor is not strictly bound to merely treat the patient but to provide the best possible care. Consequently, the doctor has the following fundamental duties:

• Throughout the treatment period, the doctor must treat the patient with humanity, kindness, and integrity, surrounding them with care and attention.
• A doctor who accepts a patient must ensure the continuity of their treatment, either personally or in collaboration with a qualified professional, acting with precision, a clear conscience, and in accordance with the latest scientific advancements.
• After prescribing and defining the required treatment, the doctor must actively monitor its execution.
• If a patient refuses treatment, the doctor has the right to stop following up. However, if the patient is in danger, the doctor must make every effort to persuade them to accept treatment, providing the appropriate quality healthcare and consulting other doctors if necessary.
• The doctor must always respect the patient's will. If the patient's condition does not allow them to express their opinions, their family must be informed.

The Nursing Team

Since ancient times, nurses have been the doctor's companions in providing quality healthcare and assisting in patient treatment. History shows that the first nurses were often nuns, and early Islamic history recognizes nurses and women who accompanied Muslim armies in early battles.

• The primary factor that delayed the evolution of the nursing profession is its lack of independence. Unlike medicine, nursing is not a fully independent profession; nurses generally work under a doctor's supervision.
• Historically, the nursing profession was heavily influenced by the fact that it primarily attracted women to provide healthcare, compared to medicine, which was dominated by men.
• The nursing profession is also affected by the diverse educational levels within the nursing team. To this day, nurses working in healthcare facilities hold varying certificates of education and experience, ranging from basic diplomas to university degrees and even doctorates.
• In some conservative societies, families still discourage their daughters from entering the nursing profession, arguing that it is difficult for a female nurse to care for a male patient and assist him with basic daily needs, especially when dealing with critically ill patients, which can place significant psychological strain on the nurse.

Pharmacists

Since the dawn of human civilization, pharmacy has emerged as a fundamental healthcare profession. The pharmacist's role involved preparing medicines from herbs used to treat diseases, mixing active pharmaceutical ingredients, and preparing ointments or oils according to the doctor's prescriptions.

Medical Technicians and Allied Health Professionals

Over the past two decades, the importance of allied health professionals has grown significantly. Their numbers and specialties have expanded, leading to new training programs and innovative disciplines that provide quality healthcare services. These professionals support medical work and boost the productivity of the entire medical team, particularly the doctor. The main reason for the increased focus on this group is the integration of modern technology into medical practice, relying heavily on advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.