news & events archives, 2004
(2005)

Data: Health Workforce Trends, December 7, 2004
In recent years, a variety of trends have emerged that have implications for the health workforce in the southeast region of the US. The Southeast Regional Center for Health Workforce Studies is examining these trends and has summarized observations of the relevant issues and their potential or real impact on the health workforce. Click here to read more . . .

Data: 2003 North Carolina Health Professions Data are now available, November, 2004
The North Carolina Health Professions Data System (HPDS) has updated its website with 2003 data. Hard copies of the data are available in the 2003 North Carolina Health Professions Data Book, available for $20 (plus postage) by contacting the HDPS Data Coordinator at (919) 966-7112 or by email at nchp@unc.edu. Click here to go to the NC HPDS website . . .

Article: American Journal of Public Health, October 2004
"Retention of Primary Care Physicians in Rural Health Professional Shortage Areas"
Synopsis: This recent article by Dr. Donald Pathman, et al. compares the retention duration of physicians working in rural health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) and rural non-HPSAs and found no significant retention differences. The authors concluded from their analysis and previous studies that low physician recruitment primarily explains the existence of rural shortage areas and not the poor retention of physicians after they move to these areas. They recommend that programs intended to remedy underserved areas should target recruitment as the primary dynamic underlying shortages. But they also recommend targeting retention because the factors affecting it can be more readily addressed though policy interventions.

Reference: Pathman DE, Konrad TR, Dann R, Koch G. 2004. Retention of Primary Care Physicians in Rural Health Professional Shortage Areas. American Journal of Public Health 94 (10):1723-1729.

Article: By Sarah Avery, Raleigh News & Observer, September 7, 2004
"Malpractice debate hides subtleties"
Synopsis: Sarah Avery, staff writer for the Raleigh News & Observer, recently wrote that the medical malpractice debate in the US and North Carolina has formed two distinct viewpoints on its impact on healthcare. But further examination of the data reveals many subtleties that help to explain why NC physicians choose to leave practice or change their specialty area. Dr. Tom Ricketts explains other factors that erode physician job satisfaction, of which medical malpractice is one. Click here to read more. . .

Report: "The State of Allied Health in North Carolina: A Focus on the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Workforce," August 2004
Synopsis: The report is a snapshot of clinical laboratory scientists - practitioners who examine blood, body fluids and tissues, and perform laboratory tests necessary for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The publication includes a discussion on the supply, distribution and demographic characteristics of clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians) and examines North Carolina's clinical laboratory science educational programs. This report was produced through joint collaboration of the Council for Allied Health in North Carolina, North Carolina AHEC and the Sheps Center, with funding provided through a grant from The Duke Endowment.

Report:"The State of Allied Health in North Carolina: A Focus on the Respiratory Therapy Workforce," August 2004
Synopsis: The report is a snapshot of respiratory therapists - practitioners who evaluate, treat and manage patients with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. The publication includes a discussion on the supply, distribution and demographic characteristics of respiratory therapists and examines North Carolina's respiratory therapy educational programs. This report was produced through joint collaboration of the Council for Allied Health in North Carolina, North Carolina AHEC and the Sheps Center, with funding provided through a grant from The Duke Endowment.

Press Release: By David Williamson, UNC News Services, July 1, 2004
"Significant growth has occurred in the number of health professionals who provide anesthesia services across North Carolina, a new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study shows." Click on the link below to read more. http://www.unc.edu/news/newsserv/archives/jul04/dyson070104.html

Report: North Carolina Institute of Medicine, June 2004
"The North Carolina Nursing Workforce Report: 2004"
Synopsis: With support from the Duke Endowment, a task force was created in 2003 and staffed and supported by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to investigate the nursing workforce shortage in North Carolina and make recommendations for how the state should address this problem. The task force gathered stakeholders from across the State and generated a report that describes the current nursing workforce situation, nursing education, work environments for nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, and concluded with recommended courses of action for the future. Click here to read more. .

Meeting:"Highlights of External Advisory Committee Meeting", SE Regional Center for Health Workforce Studies, May 2004
Synopsis: The center held its inaugural external advisory board meeting at the Sheps Center on May 11, 2004. The committee and guests discussed priorities for research and the needs of policy makers in developing future programs for health workforce. That discussion developed a series of recommended areas for future research and analysis. Click here to read more. . .

Article: Medical News Today, April 22nd, 2004
"Solutions to impending U.S. long-term care facility staffing crisis"
Synopsis: Evidence has shown that employee turnover in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is close to 100% each year nationally. The problem is expected to grow as the baby boomer generation ages. Bob Konrad, with the Sheps Center for Health Services and the Southeast Regional Center for Health Workforce Studies provides more context for the situation. Click here to read more. . .

Press Release: By David Williamson, UNC News Services, March 9th, 2004
"UNC to become regional center for research on health workforce"
http://www.unc.edu/news/newsserv/archives/mar04/ricketts030904.html