Regulation of the management of health work force in COVID-19 pandemic context: Brazil, Canada, and Portugal

Considering the challenges in implementing emergency measures related to workforce management during the COVID-19 pandemic, this documentary and qualitative study gathered official documents produced by the governments of Brazil, Canada, and Portugal to address this disease, focusing on the regulation of health workforce management from 2020 to 2022, and described the proposed interventions. The research included 31 regulations, whose analysis was guided by the document “Health workforce policy and management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic response,” revealing changes in the structural organization of environments, allocation and reallocation of professionals, and the use of information and communication technologies in health to adapt organizational decisions and guide work. Similarities include recommendations to reorganize work environments and conditions to minimize exposure to SARS-CoV-2 contamination risks. Distinctive measures in Canada included strengthening primary health care and exceptional funding for remote work. Portugal opted for adjustments in labor relations, flexibility in hiring foreign professionals and retired volunteers. Brazil recommended recruiting residents and health students. Common findings suggest evidence of pathways to strengthen health workforce management policies in the post-pandemic scenario.

Keywords:
human resource management in health; working conditions; COVID-19