Abstract
This HSMR issue is totally devoted to Human Resource problems. It is not a case. As Editor I’m very happy to see this renewed interest in HR topics. Right at the right time. Motivation is a key question as shortage of doctors, the burden of malpractice litigation, and the societal devaluation of role and status are taking a toll on health professionals. Retention and attraction of qualified professionals is often a key point in the strategic agenda of health organizations. Many of them still struggle to make the leap toward better HR policies. Research needs to investigate and explain the key barriers that prevent health organizations from taking a strategic approach to HR, to provide better understanding on how and why is so important linking HR planning to strategic planning, to discuss HRM strategies to help senior and line managers of health organizations in making sense of their approach to human assets, to assess the efficacy of techniques for recruitment and selection, and last but not least, to address the real big current issues, such as skill mix and aging workforce. Much to focus on. Let’s start today with this issue.