Prior research by the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies’ (UW CHWS) found that supply estimates of health professionals at national and state levels vary across secondary data sets such as the American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, and the Occupational Employment Statistics. Additional UW CHWS analyses found age cohort trends and commuting…
The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides federal healthcare that his specific to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Because the vast majority of AI/ANs do not belong to federally recognized tribes and other factors limiting the accessibility of IHS services, a better understanding of how AI/ANs obtain healthcare outside the IHS is needed. This brief…
Medical assistants (MAs) are among the fastest-growing occupations in the US. However, there are high turnover rates and providers have difficulty filling MA positions. Employers are increasingly using apprenticeship to meet emerging workforce needs. This article discusses a qualitative study that examined perspectives of 14 employers using registered MA apprenticeships in 8 states. Findings included…
Estimating the supply of the allied health workforce at the state level requires the use of multiple data sources. The American Community Survey and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics are 2 data sources that can be used to help estimate the supply of the allied health workforce in each state. This interactive dashboard allows users…
Research has shown evidence of doulas’ positive impacts on maternal health outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. Such research supports expanding access to doula services. However, health workforce-related barriers challenge the development of robust doula services in the US. This article published in the Journal of Perinatal Education investigates organizations’ barriers regarding training, recruitment, and employment of doulas….
To meet growing demand, address social determinants of health, and improve health equity, a larger and more diverse registered nurse (RN) workforce is needed in the US. To do so, it is important to understand current pathways and barriers to becoming an RN. This article published in Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice examines prior health…
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Obama Administration created the federal Health Insurance Navigator Program, which seeks to reduce the rate of uninsured in the United States. Under this program, navigators help people procure insurance coverage through federally facilitated Marketplaces (or Exchanges). During COVID-19, financial insecurity and substantial budget cuts created increased shortages and…
Health researchers view social determinants of health as one of the underlying causes of health inequities in the United States. There has been an increasing demand for health professionals to become more educated about the role of social determinants of health—one strategy that addresses this is experiential education programs as part of health professions training….
It is well known that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as people with disabilities experience discrimination and bias in the health care services they receive. Few studies have examined such inequities in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, where pandemic-related restrictions and policies compounded existing inequitable care for these populations. This article…
The health informatics workforce plays a critical role in improving patient health by leveraging big data and harnessing the power of machine learning and AI, among other tools. Many healthcare workers are currently interacting with health information technology with varying levels of intensity. This rapid response brief provides an overview of the complex and evolving…
