Regulation of nursing professionals in Cambodia: strategies to overcome underpinning challenges

To elucidate (i) the challenges and constraints in the development and implementation of the regulatory framework for nursing professionals in Cambodia and (ii) the specific strategies adopted to address the challenges experienced in Cambodia.

The health workforce will be critical to achieving the health-related and wider Sustainable Development Goals in the years up to 2030.

In 2006, the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement in relation to nursing services in the region with the main aim of facilitating the mobility of nursing professionals between countries. To ensure the competency of the health workforce and the quality and safety of health services, member states are required to establish an appropriate regulatory framework.

This is a qualitative descriptive study. Eighteen key informant interviews were conducted in Cambodia in 2018. Walt and Gilson's policy analysis model was applied to organize and synthesize the data.

Major challenges were identified such as conceptual and cultural issues, limited capacity of Cambodian stakeholders and an unstandardized system with limited coordination.

In Cambodia, the nursing regulatory environment has expanded greatly over the last decade. Strategies adopted were 'political leadership', optimal utilization of 'outsider's capacity', strengthening 'insider's capacity', and 'dedicated consultation and collaboration and consensus building' involving all players.

Policymakers in similar resource-limited countries could apply and adapt similar strategic efforts when formulating and implementing health policies, legislation and regulations. 'Outsiders', in this case, represented by development partners can play a vital role in the process, but should not be leading the charge. They should be aligned with national priority to support recipient countries. It is imperative for these countries and development partners to invest in increasing the quantity and quality of nursing leaders who can develop and advance regulatory functions.