National Reporting Instrument 2021
Background
[iBG]
Adopted in 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA Res 63.16), the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (“the Code”) seeks to strengthen the understanding and ethical management of international health personnel recruitment through improved data, information, and international cooperation.
Article 7 of the Code encourages WHO Member States to exchange information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The WHO Director General is additionally mandated to report to the World Health Assembly every 3 years.
WHO Member States completed the 3rd round of national reporting in March 2019. The WHO Director General reported progress on implementation to the 72nd World Health Assembly in May 2019 (A 72/23). The 3rd Round of National Reporting additionally informed the Member-State led Review of the Code’s relevance and effectiveness, as presented to the 73rd WHA in 2020 (A 73/9).
The Review highlights that Code implementation, through targeted support and safeguards, is necessary to ensure that Health Emergency and Universal Health Coverage-related progress in Member States serves to reinforce rather than compromise similar achievement in others. In light of the considerations in the Report and decision WHA 73(30), the WHO Secretariat has additionally prepared the Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020.
The National Reporting Instrument (NRI) is a country-based, self-assessment tool for information exchange and Code monitoring. The NRI enables WHO to collect and share current evidence and information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The findings from the 4th Round of National Reporting are to be presented at the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NRI (2021) has been adapted to additionally capture information related to health personnel recruitment and migration in the context of the pandemic.
The deadline for submitting reports is 31 January 2022.
Should technical difficulties prevent national authorities from filling in the online questionnaire, it is also possible to download the NRI via the link: https://www.who.int/teams/health-workforce/migration/code-nri. Please complete the NRI and submit it, electronically or in hard copy, to the following address:
Health Workforce Department
Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
hrhinfo@who.int
Disclaimer: The data and information collected through the National Reporting Instrument will be made publicly available via the WHO web-site following the proceedings of the 75th WHA in 2022. The quantitative data collected will be updated on and available through the National Health Workforce Accounts online platform. (http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/nhwa/en/).
Article 7 of the Code encourages WHO Member States to exchange information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The WHO Director General is additionally mandated to report to the World Health Assembly every 3 years.
WHO Member States completed the 3rd round of national reporting in March 2019. The WHO Director General reported progress on implementation to the 72nd World Health Assembly in May 2019 (A 72/23). The 3rd Round of National Reporting additionally informed the Member-State led Review of the Code’s relevance and effectiveness, as presented to the 73rd WHA in 2020 (A 73/9).
The Review highlights that Code implementation, through targeted support and safeguards, is necessary to ensure that Health Emergency and Universal Health Coverage-related progress in Member States serves to reinforce rather than compromise similar achievement in others. In light of the considerations in the Report and decision WHA 73(30), the WHO Secretariat has additionally prepared the Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020.
The National Reporting Instrument (NRI) is a country-based, self-assessment tool for information exchange and Code monitoring. The NRI enables WHO to collect and share current evidence and information on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel. The findings from the 4th Round of National Reporting are to be presented at the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NRI (2021) has been adapted to additionally capture information related to health personnel recruitment and migration in the context of the pandemic.
The deadline for submitting reports is 31 January 2022.
Should technical difficulties prevent national authorities from filling in the online questionnaire, it is also possible to download the NRI via the link: https://www.who.int/teams/health-workforce/migration/code-nri. Please complete the NRI and submit it, electronically or in hard copy, to the following address:
Health Workforce Department
Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems
World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
hrhinfo@who.int
Disclaimer: The data and information collected through the National Reporting Instrument will be made publicly available via the WHO web-site following the proceedings of the 75th WHA in 2022. The quantitative data collected will be updated on and available through the National Health Workforce Accounts online platform. (http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/nhwa/en/).
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Please describe
Disclaimer
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For more information on WHO Data Policy kindly refer to http://www.who.int/publishing/datapolicy/en/
For more information on WHO Data Policy kindly refer to http://www.who.int/publishing/datapolicy/en/
I have read and understood the WHO policy on the use and sharing of data collected by WHO in Member States outside the context of public health emergencies
Designated National Authority Contact Details
[q01b]
Contact information:
Country
Austria
Full name of institution:
Josef
Name of designated national authority:
Josef Baumgartner
Title of designated national authority:
Min.-Rat
Telephone number: (E.g. +41227911530 .)
0171100644707
Email: (Please enter one email address only.)
josef.baumgartner@gesundheitsministerium.gv.at,hrhinfo@who.int
Implementation of the Code
[q1]
1. Has your country taken steps to implement the Code?
Yes
[q1x1x]
1.1 Actions have been taken to communicate and share information across sectors on the international recruitment and migration of health personnel, as well as to publicize the Code, among relevant ministries, departments and agencies, nationally and/or sub-nationally.
Yes
[q1x1]
Action 1
In 2015 the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection informed the Federal States in Austria about the WHO Code and asked them to spread the information in all relevant regional institutions in the health care sector and to take into account the recommandations concerning the ethical international recruitment of health personnel.
Action 2
In order to additionally spread information about the WHO Code nationwide a report on the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel of the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH) was published on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in January 2016.
Action 3
[q1x2x]
1.2 Measures have been taken or are being considered to introduce changes to laws or policies consistent with the recommendations of the Code.
Yes
[q1x2]
Measure 1
In 2017 the Federal Act on the Registration of Healthcare Professions was passed in Austria. According to the Act, health personnel of 10 health care professions need to register before being authorised to excerise their professions. The register operates in addition to other health care professions‘ registers that already dispose of registration data. The register started to operate in July 2018 and was completed for all health professionals who already practice their professions by the end of 2019. Since 2019 new entrants to the labour market are continuously added to the register.
Measure 2
Measure 3
[q1x3x]
1.3 Records are maintained on all recruiters authorized by competent authorities to operate within their jurisdiction.
No
[q1x4x]
1.4 Good practices, as called for by the Code, are encouraged and promoted among recruitment agencies.
No
[q1x5x]
1.5 Measures have been taken to consult stakeholders in decision-making processes and/or involve them in activities related to the international recruitment of health personnel.
Yes
[q1x5]
Measure 1
In 2020 the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH) started to prepare a strategy process on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection involving relevant stakeholders in order to prepare a care reform. The reform is expected to cover several control areas and the developement of strategies in recruitment (e.g. incentives in the labour market) and the development of a National Strategy on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel in accordance with the WHO Code are being considered.
Measure 2
Measure 3
[q1x6x]
1.6 Other steps:
No
Partnerships, Technical Collaboration and Financial Support 1/2
[q2x1]
2.1. Has your country provided technical or financial assistance to one or more WHO Member States, particularly developing countries, or other stakeholders to support the implementation of the Code?
2.1.1 Specific support for implementation of the Code
2.1.2 Support for health system strengthening
2.1.3 Support for health personnel development
2.1.4 No support provided
2.1.5 Other areas of support:
[q2x2]
2.2. Has your country received technical or financial assistance from one or more WHO Member States, the WHO secretariat, or other stakeholders to support the implementation of the Code?
2.2.1 Specific support for implementation of the Code
2.2.2 Support for health system strengthening
2.2.3 Support for health personnel development
2.2.4 No support received
2.2.5 Other areas of support:
Partnerships, Technical Collaboration and Financial Support 2/2
[q3]
3. Has your country or its sub-national governments entered into bilateral, multilateral, or regional agreements and/or arrangements with respect to the international recruitment and migration of health personnel?
No
[q3xUploadx1]
[q3xUploadx2]
[q3xUploadx3]
Health Workforce Development and Health System Sustainability
[q4]
4. Does your country strive to meet its health personnel needs with its domestically trained health personnel, including measures to educate, retain and sustain a health workforce that is appropriate for the specific conditions of your country, including areas of greatest need?
Yes
[q4x1x]
4.1 Measures taken to educate the health workforce
Yes
[q4x1]
4.1.1 Manage production
4.1.2 Improve quality of education
4.1.3 Strengthen regulation
4.4 Others
[q4x2x]
4.2 Measures taken to ensure the sustainability* of the health workforce
Yes
[q4x2]
4.2.1 Workforce planning/forecasting
4.2.2 Increasing domestic production and education opportunities
4.2.3 Increasing employment opportunities
4.2.4 Manage recruitment of international health personnel
Other
[q4x3x]
4.3 Measures taken to address the geographical mal-distribution and retention of health workers*
Yes
[q4x3]
4.3.1 Education (Education institutions in underserved areas; students from under-served areas; relevant topics in education/professional development programmes; others)
For Example the following measures: • Innovative education models in nursing building on partnerships with secondary vocational schools including some in rural areas have been developed and are being tested and evaluated. The implementation of further innovative education models in nursing is currently being considered in order to address the high demand for personnel in nursing professions. • Moratorium on the unrestricted access to study medicine: Favorable admission to medical schools for Austrian citizens over other EU-citizens; • Concerning the initial education for nurses an upgrade from secondary level to universites of applied sciences is expected to be completed in 2024. Study places are provided in various study locations in Austria including rural areas.
4.3.2 Regulation (Mandatory service agreements; scholarships and education subsidies with return of service agreements; enhanced scope of practice; task shifting; skill-mix; others)
For Example the following measures: • Ongoing reorganisation of skill and grade mix in various settings for the nursing professions following an amendment to the Austrian Act on Nursing Care (including adaptations of scope of practice in nursing professions); • Various measures planned and taken in order to expand Primary Health care in rural areas; • Various subnational scholarships and education subsidies including some with return of service agreements;
4.3.3 Incentives (Financial and non-financial)
For Example the following measures: • Upgrade working conditions for health professionals for example with competitve salaries; • Implacement foundations; • Grants/ subsidies/ scholarships for example for students in health professions; • paid educational leave;
4.3.4 Support (Decent and safe living and working conditions; career advancement opportunities; social recognition measures; others)
For Example the following measures: • providing staff-housing or support in finding flats for health professionals; • Various sub-national image campaigns; • Permeability in education and training in nursing professions;
[q4x4x]
4.4 Other relevant measures
No
[q5]
5. Are there specific policies and/or laws that guides international recruitment, migration and integration of foreign-trained health personnel in your country?
Yes
[q5x1]
5.1 Please provide further information in the box below:
Law/policy 1
Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (https://www.eshg.org/fileadmin/eshg/EBMG/CLG/Direttiva_36_EN.pdf)
Law/policy 2
Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 amending Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and Regu-lation (EU) No 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Infor-mation System (‘the IMI Regulation’) (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013L0055&from=EN)
Law/policy 3
Federal Act on the Simplification of Procedures for the Recognition and Assessment of Foreign Educational and Professional Qualifications (Recognition and Assessment Act: https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_2016_1_55/ERV_2016_1_55.pdf); Foreign Educational and Professional Qualifications concerning health care professions: The shortened occupational licence procedure (one-stop) ist the fastest way to obtain an occupational licence for a health care profession in Austria, and was awarded the 2006 Austrian Administration Prize. A total of 50 % of applicants already make use of this opportunity and receive their occupational licences within half an hour. (Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, website: Anerkennung einer ausländischen Berufsqualifikation in einem Gesundheitsberuf (sozialministerium.at). During the COVID-19 pandemic the shortened occupational licence procedure has been suspended as several regulations were established in order to facilitate foreign-trained health professionals to work in Austria.
[q6x]
6. Recognizing the role of other government entities, does the Ministry of Health have processes (e.g. policies, mechanisms, unit) to monitor and coordinate across sectors on issues related to the international recruitment and migration of health personnel?
No
[q7x]
7. Has your country established a database or compilation of laws and regulations related to international health personnel recruitment and migration and, as appropriate, information related to their implementation?
No
Responsibilities, Rights and Recruitment Practices
[q8x]
8. Which legal safeguards and/or other mechanisms are in place to ensure that migrant health personnel enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as the domestically trained health workforce? Please tick all options that apply from the list below:
8.1 Migrant health personnel are recruited internationally using mechanisms that allow them to assess the benefits and risk associated with employment positions and to make timely and informed decisions regarding them
8.2 Migrant health personnel are hired, promoted and remunerated based on objective criteria such as levels of qualification, years of experience and degrees of professional responsibility on the same basis as the domestically trained health workforce
8.3 Migrant health personnel enjoy the same opportunities as the domestically trained health workforce to strengthen their professional education, qualifications and career progression
8.4 Other mechanisms, please provide details below if possible:
[q8xoth]
8.4 Please describe at least one mechanism
Mechanism 1
As soon as the process of recognition of professional qualification is completed, migrant health personnel have the same rights and obligations concerning their professions as the domestically trained health workforce.
Mechanism 2
Mechanism 3
[q9x]
9. Please submit any other comments or information you wish to provide regarding legal, administrative and other measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure fair recruitment and employment practices of foreign-trained and/or immigrant health personnel.
» There are various prequalification courses for migrants which are designed to facilitate their entrance into vocational training and professions in the health and care sector. e.g. Project „Migrants care“ (Migrants Care - BAG (freiewohlfahrt.at)
» A website of the Austrian Integration Fund – Fund for the integration of refugees and migrants (ÖIF) (https://www.berufsanerkennung.at/en/) provides information on the process of recognition of professional qualifications in english, turkish, arabic, persian and bosnian/croatian/serbian. Using an online tool foreign-trained or immigrant health person-nel can find the right contact person in just a few steps.
» Some information on the process of recognition of professional qualifications in English is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. (rop (bmbwf.gv.at)
» More information on the rights of migrants and on the life in Austria and services for migrants in various languages is available on the websites http://www.migrant.at/sprache/english/ and https://www.migration.gv.at/en/living-and-working-in-austria/ (website provided across sectors and ministries).
» „Mentoring for Migrants” is a joint initiative of the Austrian Integration Fund, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and the AMS job market service. The goal is to bring together experienced individuals from the business world – mentors – and people from a migrant background – mentees – and help them become integrated into the Austrian labour market. Mentors and mentees spend about six months working through activities together to enter the labour market. As experienced businesspeople, mentors can give their partners valuable assistance, advice, and put them in touch with the right people. (https://www.integrationsfonds.at/en/mentoring-for-migrants/)
[q10x]
10. Regarding domestically trained/ emigrant health personnel (diaspora) working outside your country, please submit any comments or information on measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure their fair recruitment and employment practices, as well as difficulties encountered
Measure 1
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection is supporting emigrant health personnel to meet the requirements for recognitions of professional qualifications in other countries.
Measure 2
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection is stepping in when Austrians encounter major difficulties in the process of recruitment in other countries.
Measure 3
A minimum language proficiency for foreign-trained or immigrant health personnel is required in order to be able to work in Austria. (https://www.eshg.org/fileadmin/eshg/EBMG/CLG/Direttiva_36_EN.pdf; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013L0055&from=EN)
Data on International Health Personnel Recruitment & Migration
[iq11]
Improving the availability and international comparability of data is essential to understanding and addressing the global dynamic of health worker migration.
[q11]
11. Does your country have any mechanism(s) or entity(ies) to maintain statistical records of foreign-born and foreign-trained health personnel?
Yes
[q11x1]
Please describe
The following entities are collecting data on a regular basis: Statistics Austria, the Austrian Medical Chamber, the Austrian Dental Chamber, Österreichisches Hebammengremium (mid-wives), Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, the Austrian Chamber of Labour, the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH, GÖG).
[iQ12]
12. Data on the active stock of health personnel, disaggregated by country of training and birth
Previous data shared with WHO is available here. Please liaise with your NHWA focal point and update as relevant.
For the latest year available, consistent with the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA) Indicators 1-07 and 1-08, please provide information on the total stock of health personnel in your country (preferably the active workforce1), disaggregated by the country of training (foreign-trained) and the country of birth (foreign-born). Please consult with your NHWA focal point, if available, to ensure that data reported below is consistent with NHWA reporting.
Previous data shared with WHO is available here. Please liaise with your NHWA focal point and update as relevant.
For the latest year available, consistent with the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA) Indicators 1-07 and 1-08, please provide information on the total stock of health personnel in your country (preferably the active workforce1), disaggregated by the country of training (foreign-trained) and the country of birth (foreign-born). Please consult with your NHWA focal point, if available, to ensure that data reported below is consistent with NHWA reporting.
[q12x0]
12.1 Consolidated stock of active health personnel
This information can be provided by one of the following three options. Please choose your preferred mode of data entry:
This information can be provided by one of the following three options. Please choose your preferred mode of data entry:
Option A: Completion of the table below
[q12x1x1]
Option A: Please complete the table below
Please fill red highlighted cells.
| Total | Domestically Trained | Foreign Trained | Unknown Place of Training | National Born | Foreign Born | Source* | Year | Does the data represent active stock? | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Doctors | uk | |||||||||
| Nurses | rg | uzk | ||||||||
| Midwives | rg | rg | rg | lzuk | uk | 1 | ku | |||
| Dentists | uzk | |||||||||
| Pharmacists | zuk |
[q12x1x3]
Upload any format of documentation that provides such information (e.g. pdf, excel, word).
WHO Code 2021 Data Austria
No comment
[q13x2]
12.2 Top 10 countries of training for foreign-trained health personnel
Please provide data on the top 10 countries of training for foreign-trained health personnel in your country. This information can be provided by one of the following two options:
Please provide data on the top 10 countries of training for foreign-trained health personnel in your country. This information can be provided by one of the following two options:
Option A: Completion of the table below
[q13x2x1]
Option A : Completion of the template below or in in Excel (Download the Excel template and Upload the complete form)
Please indicate data from the latest year available
Please indicate data from the latest year available
| Doctors | Nurses | Midwives | Dentists | Pharmacists | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total foreign trained personnel | |||||
| Country 1: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 1: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 2: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 2: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 3: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 3: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 4: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 4: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 5: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 5: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 6: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 6: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 7: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 7: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 8: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 8: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 9: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 9: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Country 10: Top country of training | |||||
| Country 10: No. of foreign trained health personnel | |||||
| Source (e.g. professional register, census data, national survey, other) | |||||
| Year of data | |||||
| Additional Comments |
[q13x2x3]
Upload any format of documentation that provides such information (e.g. pdf, excel, word).
Please upload file
WHO Code 2021 Data Austria
No comment
COVID-19 and Health personnel mobility
[q13]
13. Were measures undertaken at national or sub-national level in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to the temporary or permanent mobility of international health personnel?
13.1 No change in national or sub-national regulation, policy or processes related to the entry or exit of foreign-trained or foreign-born health personnel
13.2 National and/or sub-national regulation, policy or processes enacted to ease entry and integration of foreign-trained or foreign-born health personnel
The 2nd COVID-19 Act as well as Amendments to the Austrian act on Nursing Care and the Austrian act for medical-technical services, enable graduates in the nursing professions and in the advanced medical-technical services, to take up their professional activities before being officially registered in the Austrian health professions register for the duration of the pandemic (until December 31 2021 at the latest). The 2nd COVID-19 Act, the 3rd COVID-19 Act as well as Amendments to the Austrian act on Nursing Care and the Austrian act for medical-technical services allow persons with qualifica-tions acquired abroad in the nursing professions or in the advanced medical-technical services to take up their profession before completing the prescribed compensatory measures and before being entered in the register of healthcare professionals for the duration of the pandemic (until December 31 2021 at the latest).
13.3 National and/or sub-national regulation, policy or processes enacted to limit the exit of health personnel from country
13.4 Others
[q14]
14. Did you have a mechanism to monitor the inflow and outflow of health personnel to/from your country during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Inflow
Outflow
No
[q15]
15. Please list any challenges related to ethical international recruitment of health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic
Please describe (e.g. active recruitment of ICU personnel)
Please describe (e.g. active recruitment of ICU personnel)
1st Challenge
A decrease in applications for recognition of professional qualifications during the pandemic can be expected, potentially leading to negative implications on the labour market
2nd Challenge
Temporary suspension of the registration in the health profession register obligation in certain cases during the pandemic leads to inaccuracies in current data stock
3rd Challenge
Personal assistants from abroad - who are by definition no health professionals in Austria - were facing some difficulties entering Austria as cross-border commuters in the beginning of the pandemic which also lead to further challenges in the care sector.
Constraints, Solutions, and Complementary Comments
[q16]
16. Please list in priority order, the three main constraints to the ethical management of international migration in your country and propose possible solutions
| Main constraints | Possible solution /Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|
| Shortage of health workforce is expected to increase | Nationwide development of extensive range of different measures to support recruitment and retention of healthcare workforce including efforts to establish a nationwide taskforce for long term care and to develop a care reform | |
| Fragmented responsibilities due to the federal political systems in Austria | • Nationwide statistics (health profession register has started in July 2018); • A Federal Target-Based Governance Agreement was first concluded in 2013 and renewed in 2017 where key players of the Austrian Health Care System jointly defined financial and health targets together with measures for achieving them; | |
| no further main constraint |
[q17]
17. Is there any specific support your country requires to strengthen implementation of the Code?
17.1 Support to strengthen data and information
17.2 Support for policy dialogue and development
17.3 Support for the development of bilateral/multi-lateral agreements
17.4 Other areas of support:
[q18]
18. Submit any other complementary comments or material you may wish to provide regarding the international recruitment and migration of health personnel, as related to implementation of the Code.
[q18x1]
Please upload any supporting files
Thank You
[iThank]
You have reached the end of the National Reporting Instrument - 2021. You may go back to any question to update your answers or confirm your entry by clicking ‘Submit’.