Support Workers and the Health Professions in International Perspective : The Invisible Providers of Health Care

Health care support workers (HSWs) play a fundamental role in international health care systems, and yet they remain largely invisible. Despite this, the number of HSWs is growing fast as governments strive to combat illness and address social care issues in a world of finite resources.

This original collection analyses the global experience of HSWs in the UK, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Portugal, Sweden and The Netherlands. Leading academics examine issues including the interface of HSWs with the health professions, regulatory practice risks, employment challenges and the dilemmas of an ageing population. Crucial future policy recommendations are also made for a world becoming increasingly dependent on HSWs.

University Fernando Pessoa

University of Bedfordshire

Susan Nancarrow is Adjunct Professor at the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University in Australia and a higher education and health services consultant. Susan is a health services researcher and allied health professional.

Mike Dent is Emeritus Professor at Staffordshire University and Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester. He is a sociologist with an interest in healthcare professions and comparative healthcare organisation. Currently, he is also researching and publishing on the topic of public and user involvement in healthcare. In addition, he is on the Board of the International Sociological Association Research Committee on the Sociology of Professions.

Paul Williams is an experienced researcher and academic with an international reputation for his work on collaborative working, particularly the role and competencies of boundary spanners.