Health Workforce Planning — MCQs
In implementation of a health programme, best thing to do is -
In Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), how many goals are health related?
Population norm for Health Assistants in tribal areas:
In the context of Indian regulations, what is the minimum number of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) cases a doctor must have performed to be eligible to perform an MTP?
The comparison of mortality rates between two countries requires the application of direct standardization. Which of the following parameters makes it necessary to have standardization?
Which of the following statements about a primary health centre (PHC) is incorrect?
According to Vision 2020 initiative, the target ratio of ophthalmic personnel to population is –
The population covered by an ASHA is:
Bajaj committee in 1986 proposed:
Most peripheral unit for planning of family planning and other services under RCH program is
Health Workforce Planning Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: In implementation of a health programme, best thing to do is -
- A. Discussion with leaders in community and implement accordingly
- B. Discussion with people in community and decide according to it
- C. Discussion and decision taken by the health ministry regarding implementation
- D. Discussion with doctors in PHC and implement accordingly (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Discussion with doctors in PHC and implement accordingly*** - **Primary Healthcare (PHC) doctors** possess critical hands-on knowledge of common health issues, local demographics, and daily health challenges faced by the community. - Their involvement ensures the program is **practically viable** and tailored to the specific needs and resources available at the grassroots level for effective implementation. *Discussion with leaders in community and implement accordingly* - While engaging community leaders is important for acceptance and dissemination, they may lack the **medical expertise** required to design effective and clinically sound health interventions. - Relying solely on leaders might lead to programs that are **socially acceptable but not medically optimal** or comprehensive. *Discussion with people in community and decide according to it* - Involving the community is crucial for program adherence and understanding local needs, but **laypersons** may not have the necessary medical knowledge to make informed decisions about complex health interventions. - Their input is valuable for relevance and acceptance, but medical and public health expertise is required for program design and implementation to ensure **efficacy and safety**. *Discussion and decision taken by the health ministry regarding implementation* - The health ministry sets policies and provides overall strategic direction, but they often lack direct, **on-the-ground understanding** of specific local health issues and implementation challenges. - A top-down approach without involving local healthcare providers can lead to programs that are **not feasible** or effective in the local context.
Question 2: In Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), how many goals are health related?
- A. 1 out of 8
- B. 3 out of 8 (Correct Answer)
- C. 2 out of 8
- D. 4 out of 8
Explanation: ***3 out of 8*** - The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) included **three health-related goals** (Goals 4, 5, and 6) out of a total of eight global development goals. - These health goals focused on **reducing child mortality**, **improving maternal health**, and **combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases**. *1 out of 8* - This option is incorrect because more than one MDG explicitly addressed health concerns, demonstrating the significant role of health in global development. - Limiting health-related goals to just one would underestimate the comprehensive approach taken by the MDGs towards global health. *2 out of 8* - While two health goals (Goals 4 and 5) focused on child and maternal health, this option overlooks the third dedicated health goal (Goal 6) on combating major diseases. - The MDGs placed a strong emphasis on a broader range of health issues, making this count insufficient. *4 out of 8* - This option overstates the number of direct health-related goals within the MDG framework, as only three goals were explicitly and primarily focused on health. - While other goals might indirectly impact health, only three were specifically defined as health goals.
Question 3: Population norm for Health Assistants in tribal areas:
- A. 1/5000
- B. 1/10000
- C. 1/30000
- D. 1/20000 (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***1/20000*** - For **Health Assistants** in **tribal areas**, the recommended population norm is **1 per 20,000 population**. - This norm accounts for the typically *sparser population density* and *geographical challenges* in tribal regions, requiring a different staffing pattern compared to plain/rural areas. *1/5000* - This norm is not a standard population norm for Health Assistants in tribal areas. - It represents a much higher density of health workers than typically allocated for tribal populations. *1/10000* - This norm is the standard for **Health Assistants** in **plain/rural areas**, not tribal areas. - It reflects better accessibility and higher population density in non-tribal regions, requiring more health workers per capita. *1/30000* - This population norm is too low for Health Assistants in tribal areas, suggesting an insufficient number of health workers to adequately serve the population. - Such a low ratio would severely compromise primary healthcare access and delivery in already underserved tribal regions.
Question 4: In the context of Indian regulations, what is the minimum number of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) cases a doctor must have performed to be eligible to perform an MTP?
- A. 10
- B. 15
- C. 25 (Correct Answer)
- D. 35
Explanation: ***25*** - As per the **MTP Act of India (1971)**, a registered medical practitioner needs to have assisted in or performed a minimum of **25 medical termination of pregnancies** in an approved training center to be certified to perform MTPs independently. - This regulation ensures a certain level of practical experience and competence before a doctor can perform this procedure. *10* - This number is **insufficient** according to Indian MTP regulations for a doctor to be eligible to perform MTPs independently. - The required practical experience is set higher to ensure adequate skill and safety for the procedure. *15* - This number also **falls short** of the minimum requirement stipulated by the Indian MTP Act. - The legislative framework emphasizes a more extensive practical exposure for practitioners. *35* - While performing 35 MTPs would certainly meet the experience requirement, it is **not the minimum specified** by the Indian MTP regulations. - The law requires a lower threshold of practical experience, which is 25 cases.
Question 5: The comparison of mortality rates between two countries requires the application of direct standardization. Which of the following parameters makes it necessary to have standardization?
- A. Numerators
- B. Denominators
- C. Causes of death
- D. Age distributions (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Age distributions*** - **Direct standardization** is crucial when comparing mortality rates between populations with different **age structures**. A population with a larger proportion of older individuals will naturally have a higher crude mortality rate regardless of underlying health. - By standardizing for age, we can remove the confounding effect of age and get a more accurate comparison of **disease burden** or **healthcare effectiveness**. *Numerators* - The numerator in mortality rates typically represents the **number of deaths**, which is a direct count and does not inherently require standardization to be understood. - While the numerator is essential for calculating the rate, its raw value doesn't introduce bias in comparison as much as population characteristics. *Denominators* - The denominator represents the **total population at risk**, which is used in calculating crude mortality rates. - While vital for rate calculation, the denominator itself doesn't directly cause a need for standardization; rather, the **composition** of the denominator (e.g., age groups) is the critical factor. *Causes of death* - While comparing **specific causes of death** can be informative, the "cause of death" itself does not necessitate overall mortality rate standardization. - Standardization focuses on population characteristics (like age) that influence the overall likelihood of death, not the specific etiology.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about a primary health centre (PHC) is incorrect?
- A. Tertiary care surgical procedures (Correct Answer)
- B. Caters about 20,000- 30,000 people
- C. Provide water and sanitation and basic health requirements
- D. There is one medical officer and one staff nurse
Explanation: ***Tertiary care surgical procedures*** - Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are designed to provide **basic and essential healthcare services** at the community level, not advanced surgical interventions. - **Tertiary care procedures**, which involve complex surgeries or specialized treatments, are typically performed at **district hospitals** or super-specialty hospitals. - PHCs focus on **primary healthcare** including outpatient care, basic laboratory services, immunization, maternal and child health services, and health education. *Caters about 20,000-30,000 people* - This statement is **correct** regarding the population coverage of a PHC in rural areas. - According to IPHS norms, a PHC serves **20,000-30,000 population** in plain areas and **30,000 population** in hilly/tribal/difficult areas. - The PHC acts as the **first point of contact** for individuals seeking health services in a defined geographical area. *Provide water and sanitation and basic health requirements* - This is a **correct** statement, as PHCs are responsible for promoting health and preventing disease through community-level interventions. - They ensure access to **safe water, sanitation, and essential primary healthcare**. - PHCs focus on improving **public health determinants** alongside providing clinical services through health education and environmental health activities. *There is one medical officer and one staff nurse* - This statement is **correct** and describes the **minimum staffing pattern** at PHCs according to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). - A standard PHC has at least **1 Medical Officer, 1 Staff Nurse, and support staff** including ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) who work at sub-centers. - Additional staff may be present depending on whether it's a 4-bedded or 6-bedded PHC.
Question 7: According to Vision 2020 initiative, the target ratio of ophthalmic personnel to population is –
- A. 1:50,000 (Correct Answer)
- B. 1:5,000
- C. 1:10,000
- D. 1:100,000 (1 lac)
Explanation: ***1:50,000*** - Vision 2020 aims for a ratio of **one ophthalmic personnel per 50,000 population** to ensure adequate eye care services worldwide. - This target specifically refers to the broader category of eye care workers and helps guide the development of eye care programs and resource allocation to prevent and treat blindness. - Note: The target for ophthalmologists specifically is different (1:100,000), but this question refers to the general ophthalmic personnel ratio. *1:5,000* - A ratio of 1:5,000 would represent a significantly **higher density** of eye care professionals than the Vision 2020 goal. - While this would indicate excellent eye care coverage, it is **not the established target** set by Vision 2020. *1:10,000* - A ratio of 1:10,000, while better than many current situations, is still **more ambitious** than the Vision 2020 target. - This ratio does not align with the specific **Vision 2020 goal** for ophthalmic service delivery. *1:100,000 (1 lac)* - A ratio of 1:100,000 would indicate a significantly **lower density** of eye care professionals. - This is actually the Vision 2020 target for **ophthalmologists specifically**, not the broader category of ophthalmic personnel. - For general ophthalmic personnel, this ratio would fall short of the target.
Question 8: The population covered by an ASHA is:
- A. 2000
- B. 2500
- C. 500
- D. 1000 (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***1000*** - An **ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)** typically covers a population of approximately **1000 individuals** in plain/general rural areas. - This ratio ensures that each ASHA worker can effectively provide primary healthcare services, health education, and link the community to health facilities. *2000* - This is not a standard population coverage norm for any specific health worker under NRHM. - ASHAs are designed to cover smaller, more manageable populations (1000) to ensure effective community-level engagement. *2500* - This is not aligned with standard NRHM norms for health worker coverage. - For reference, a **sub-center** covers **3000 population in plain areas** (or 5000 in hilly/tribal/difficult areas), not 2500. - ASHA's responsibility is at the village level with much smaller population coverage. *500* - In **tribal, hilly, or difficult terrain areas**, one ASHA may cover a smaller population of around **500-600** due to accessibility challenges. - In **general/plain areas**, the standard norm is 1000 population per ASHA. - Note: **Anganwadi Workers (AWW)** typically cover 400-800 population, which is a different cadre of worker.
Question 9: Bajaj committee in 1986 proposed:
- A. Manpower and planning (Correct Answer)
- B. Multipurpose health worker
- C. Integrated health services
- D. Rural health service
Explanation: ***Manpower and planning*** - The **Bajaj Committee**, established in 1986, focused on developing a national medical and health **education policy** - Its primary recommendations centered around **manpower planning** and the optimal utilization of human resources in the health sector to address the health objectives of 'Health for All by 2000 AD' - This committee specifically addressed the need for planning human resources to meet India's healthcare demands *Multipurpose health worker* - The concept of **multipurpose health workers** was a key recommendation of the **Kartar Singh Committee** in 1973, not the Bajaj Committee - This committee suggested replacing disease-specific health workers with a single cadre of multipurpose workers to improve efficiency and coverage at the peripheral level *Integrated health services* - The idea of **integrated health services** was a major focus of the **Bhor Committee** (1946), which advocated for comprehensive and integrated healthcare - This approach emphasizes a unified health administration and coordinated delivery of preventive, promotive, and curative services, predating the Bajaj Committee *Rural health service* - The establishment and strengthening of **rural health services** were prioritized by the **Mudaliar Committee** (1962), which reviewed the progress since the Bhor Committee - While important for Indian healthcare, this was not the primary focus of the Bajaj Committee's 1986 recommendations
Question 10: Most peripheral unit for planning of family planning and other services under RCH program is
- A. PHC
- B. District
- C. Sub-centre (Correct Answer)
- D. Block/ Taluka
Explanation: ***Sub-centre*** - The **Sub-centre** is the most peripheral and first contact point between the primary healthcare system and the community. - It serves a population of 3,000-5,000 people and is responsible for delivering basic health services, including **family planning** and **RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) services**, directly to the community. *PHC* - A **Primary Health Centre (PHC)** is a more central facility, serving a larger population (20,000-30,000) and acting as a referral unit for 6 sub-centres. - While PHCs provide comprehensive primary care, the **planning and direct delivery** at the grassroots level occur at the Sub-centre. *District* - The **District level** involves overarching planning, supervision, and resource allocation for health services within the entire district. - It is not the most peripheral unit for direct service delivery or planning with the community. *Block/Taluka* - The **Block/Taluka level** often corresponds to a Community Health Centre (CHC) or block-level administrative health office. - These facilities supervise PHCs and manage health programs for a larger administrative block, but are not the immediate point of contact for service planning with the community.
Want unlimited practice?
Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.
Start For Free