Health Workforce Vacancies in Arkansas Ann B. Bynum, Ed.D. 1, Cathy A. Irwin, Ph.D., R.N. 2 Zoran Bursac, Ph.D., M.P.H. 3 Jimie Jarry, B.A. 2 1 University.

Health WorkforceHealth Workforce Vacancies in Vacancies in ArkansasArkansas

Ann B. Bynum, Ed.D.Ann B. Bynum, Ed.D.11, , Cathy A. Irwin, Ph.D., R.N.Cathy A. Irwin, Ph.D., R.N.22

Zoran Bursac, Ph.D., M.P.H.Zoran Bursac, Ph.D., M.P.H.33

Jimie Jarry, B.A.Jimie Jarry, B.A.22

11University of Arkansas for Medical University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Regional Programs, Sciences (UAMS), Regional Programs, Center for Rural Health, Center for Center for Rural Health, Center for Distance HealthDistance Health22UAMS, Center for Rural HealthUAMS, Center for Rural Health33UAMS, Faye W. Bozeman College of UAMS, Faye W. Bozeman College of Public Health, BiostatisticsPublic Health, Biostatistics

ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. Explain the study purpose, research Explain the study purpose, research design/procedures, and instrument used in this design/procedures, and instrument used in this study.study.

2.2. Identify the current and expected workforce Identify the current and expected workforce vacancies within the next 5 years for 90 health vacancies within the next 5 years for 90 health professionals in Arkansas by type of health professionals in Arkansas by type of health care facility, regions in Arkansas and in Pulaski care facility, regions in Arkansas and in Pulaski County. County.

3.3. Describe the conclusions and implications for Describe the conclusions and implications for health professions education, clinical practice, health professions education, clinical practice, and future research.and future research.

BackgroundBackground Arkansas is facing a growing shortage of health Arkansas is facing a growing shortage of health

care workers: Expected to worsen as the baby care workers: Expected to worsen as the baby

boomers retire boomers retire

Increased demand for health care services inIncreased demand for health care services in

ArkansasArkansas Growing total populationsGrowing total populations Increased elderly and ethnic minority populationsIncreased elderly and ethnic minority populations Fewer uninsured patients as a result of health care Fewer uninsured patients as a result of health care

reform initiativesreform initiatives

BackgroundBackground

Additional factors contributing to the Additional factors contributing to the shortage of health professions: shortage of health professions:

Unfavorable work environmentsUnfavorable work environments More satisfying alternative job opportunitiesMore satisfying alternative job opportunities Financial constraints with current recessionFinancial constraints with current recession Limitations in faculty, laboratory space, and Limitations in faculty, laboratory space, and

clinical training sites for health education clinical training sites for health education programsprograms

BackgroundBackground Geographic maldistribution of health professionals must be Geographic maldistribution of health professionals must be

addressed for solving shortages of health professionals in addressed for solving shortages of health professionals in Arkansas. Arkansas.

Decline in the number of students choosing primary care Decline in the number of students choosing primary care careerscareers

Problems with recruitment and retention of primary care Problems with recruitment and retention of primary care providers in rural areas providers in rural areas Low compensationLow compensation Rising malpractice premiumsRising malpractice premiums Professional isolation Professional isolation Limited time offLimited time off Scarcity of jobs for spousesScarcity of jobs for spouses

Impact of Workforce Shortages on Impact of Workforce Shortages on Quality of CareQuality of Care

Insufficient numbers and quality of health care Insufficient numbers and quality of health care professionals can affect the ability of health care professionals can affect the ability of health care facilities to meet the needs of their communities. facilities to meet the needs of their communities.

National surveys of registered nurses (N = 657), National surveys of registered nurses (N = 657), physicians (N = 445), and hospital executives (N = physicians (N = 445), and hospital executives (N = 364) in 2004-2005 demonstrated that nursing 364) in 2004-2005 demonstrated that nursing shortages in hospitals had an impact on hospital shortages in hospitals had an impact on hospital capacity: capacity: Reduced available hospital beds (56%-78%) Reduced available hospital beds (56%-78%) Delayed discharges (50%-69%)Delayed discharges (50%-69%) Increased wait time for surgery (45%-68%) Increased wait time for surgery (45%-68%) Discontinued patient care programs (20%-49%)Discontinued patient care programs (20%-49%)

Impact of Workforce Shortages on Impact of Workforce Shortages on Patient OutcomesPatient Outcomes

Results from a survey of U.S. hospitals from 11Results from a survey of U.S. hospitals from 11states (N = 799) demonstrated strong relationships states (N = 799) demonstrated strong relationships between nurse staffing variables and patient between nurse staffing variables and patient outcomes:outcomes: Urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infection PneumoniaPneumonia Length of hospital stayLength of hospital stay Upper gastrointestinal bleedingUpper gastrointestinal bleeding ShockShock Failure to rescue (death rate related to hospital Failure to rescue (death rate related to hospital

complications)complications)

Impact of Workforce Shortages on Impact of Workforce Shortages on Health StatusHealth Status

Shortages of health professionals can affect the Shortages of health professionals can affect the health status Arkansas residents. health status Arkansas residents.

In 2009, Arkansas ranked 40th in the nation for In 2009, Arkansas ranked 40th in the nation for health status. health status.

Adequate numbers of health care professionals Adequate numbers of health care professionals are needed to address the causes of are needed to address the causes of preventable, premature deaths and to promote preventable, premature deaths and to promote continued improvement in the health status of continued improvement in the health status of Arkansans. Arkansans.

Purpose of the StudyPurpose of the Study

Assessed health workforce vacancies Assessed health workforce vacancies for 90 health professionals in for 90 health professionals in Arkansas by type of health care Arkansas by type of health care facility, regions in Arkansas, and in facility, regions in Arkansas, and in Pulaski CountyPulaski County

Purpose of the StudyPurpose of the Study

The following categories of health professions The following categories of health professions were assessed for current employment vacancies were assessed for current employment vacancies during 2011 and expected employment vacanciesduring 2011 and expected employment vacancieswithin the next 5 years: within the next 5 years: Primary care physicians Primary care physicians Physician specialists Physician specialists Nursing Nursing Allied health professions Allied health professions Pharmacists Pharmacists Dentists Dentists

Facilities SurveyedFacilities Surveyed

HospitalsHospitals Nursing homes Nursing homes Medical clinics Medical clinics County health units County health units Community health centers Community health centers Area Health Education Center (AHEC) clinics Area Health Education Center (AHEC) clinics Dentist offices Dentist offices Pharmacies Pharmacies Ambulance servicesAmbulance services Home health care servicesHome health care services

Regions of ArkansasRegions of Arkansas

Significance of the StudySignificance of the Study

Results may be used to provide data for Results may be used to provide data for planning educational programs for health care in planning educational programs for health care in Arkansas. Arkansas.

Planning for a supply of health professionals that Planning for a supply of health professionals that will meet the demand will meet the demand

Determine the needs of rural areas for health Determine the needs of rural areas for health professionalsprofessionals

Plan strategies in clinical practice and health Plan strategies in clinical practice and health professions education for solving workforce professions education for solving workforce shortages in Arkansasshortages in Arkansas

MethodsMethods Cross-sectional survey design Cross-sectional survey design Measured current health workforce Measured current health workforce

vacancies and expected vacancies within vacancies and expected vacancies within the next 5 years for 90 health the next 5 years for 90 health professionals professionals

Other descriptive variables: Type of health Other descriptive variables: Type of health care facility, regions in Arkansas, and care facility, regions in Arkansas, and Pulaski County Pulaski County

Data collection during March-July, 2011Data collection during March-July, 2011

Study PopulationStudy Population Total Population size = 4,212Total Population size = 4,212 Directors of the human resources department, administrators, Directors of the human resources department, administrators,

and office managers and office managers Hospitals, n = 111Hospitals, n = 111 Nursing homes, n = 246Nursing homes, n = 246 Medical clinics, n = 2,180Medical clinics, n = 2,180 County health units, n = 102County health units, n = 102 Community Health Centers and dental clinics, n = 74Community Health Centers and dental clinics, n = 74 AHEC clinics, n = 8AHEC clinics, n = 8 Dentist offices, n = 865Dentist offices, n = 865 Pharmacies, n = 395 Pharmacies, n = 395 Ambulance services, n = 62 Ambulance services, n = 62 Home health care servicesHome health care services, , n = 169n = 169

ProceduresProcedures Completed survey instrument via paper (mailed survey) Completed survey instrument via paper (mailed survey)

or on-line via a websiteor on-line via a website Mailed reminder postcard after short time Mailed reminder postcard after short time Mailed second questionnaire after sufficient response Mailed second questionnaire after sufficient response

timetime Follow-up with nonrespondents via telephone: Reminded Follow-up with nonrespondents via telephone: Reminded

to complete the mailed or Web-based surveyto complete the mailed or Web-based survey Telephone reminder followed the second mailed survey, Telephone reminder followed the second mailed survey,

2.5 weeks after the mailing2.5 weeks after the mailing Three reminder calls were made to nonrespondentsThree reminder calls were made to nonrespondents If the questionnaire was lost, address of web survey was If the questionnaire was lost, address of web survey was

emailed or a replacement questionnaire was emailed or emailed or a replacement questionnaire was emailed or faxed.faxed.

ProceduresProcedures Each survey instrument was assigned a code Each survey instrument was assigned a code

number to identify respondents with facility. number to identify respondents with facility. Code numbers linked facility to zip codes. Code numbers linked facility to zip codes. Zip codes were used to obtain the variable for Zip codes were used to obtain the variable for

region in Arkansas and county in which each region in Arkansas and county in which each facility was located. facility was located.

Zip code-based population statistics were used to Zip code-based population statistics were used to determine the size of the community in which each determine the size of the community in which each facility was located. facility was located.

Web addresses and personal identification Web addresses and personal identification numbers (PINs) for population members to numbers (PINs) for population members to complete the on-line survey—Assured that each complete the on-line survey—Assured that each population member took the survey only once population member took the survey only once

InstrumentInstrument Vacancy survey instrument: Evaluated current and expected Vacancy survey instrument: Evaluated current and expected

vacancies for 90 health professionalsvacancies for 90 health professionals Eight survey instruments: Include health professionals that are Eight survey instruments: Include health professionals that are

employed in these types of health care facilities employed in these types of health care facilities HospitalsHospitals Nursing homesNursing homes Medical clinicsMedical clinics AHEC clinics, Community Health Centers, and county health AHEC clinics, Community Health Centers, and county health

unitsunits Dentist officesDentist offices PharmaciesPharmacies Ambulance servicesAmbulance services Home health care servicesHome health care services

InstrumentInstrument Vacancy survey was adapted from the 8-item Vacancy survey was adapted from the 8-item

vacancy survey developed by the Idaho Rural Health vacancy survey developed by the Idaho Rural Health Education CenterEducation Center

Survey was revised to include vacancies for 63 Survey was revised to include vacancies for 63 additional health professionals and expected additional health professionals and expected vacancies within the next 5 years. vacancies within the next 5 years.

Vacancy survey includes 3-11 items that assess Vacancy survey includes 3-11 items that assess current and expected vacancies for: primary care current and expected vacancies for: primary care physicians (4 specialties); physician specialists (30 physicians (4 specialties); physician specialists (30 specialties); dentists; nursing (10 professions); allied specialties); dentists; nursing (10 professions); allied health professions (42 professions); and pharmacy (4 health professions (42 professions); and pharmacy (4 professions). professions).

Participants responded to each item by listing the Participants responded to each item by listing the number of vacancies for each health professional. number of vacancies for each health professional.

Data Analysis Data Analysis

Data were entered and analyzed in the Data were entered and analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 15 and SASv9.2(SPSS), Version 15 and SASv9.2

Cross tabulations: Counted the number of Cross tabulations: Counted the number of vacancies for each health professional by type vacancies for each health professional by type of health care facility, Arkansas regions, and in of health care facility, Arkansas regions, and in Pulaski CountyPulaski County

Frequencies of the data were evaluated for Frequencies of the data were evaluated for duplicate physicians’ vacancies in medical duplicate physicians’ vacancies in medical clinics and hospitals. clinics and hospitals.

Data AnalysisData Analysis Current and expected vacancies for health Current and expected vacancies for health

professions in the study population (N = 4,212 professions in the study population (N = 4,212 facilities) were extrapolated from the current and facilities) were extrapolated from the current and expected vacancies that were reported in the expected vacancies that were reported in the survey. survey. Calculated by multiplying the number of current Calculated by multiplying the number of current

and expected vacancies for each health and expected vacancies for each health profession within each facility type by a constant profession within each facility type by a constant multiplier to adjust for nonrespondents multiplier to adjust for nonrespondents

Each multiplier was specific to a facility type.Each multiplier was specific to a facility type. Multiplier was a ratio of the total number of Multiplier was a ratio of the total number of

surveyed facilities for each facility type and the surveyed facilities for each facility type and the number of respondents for each facility type number of respondents for each facility type

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Determined health professionals that are Determined health professionals that are currently under-produced and over-currently under-produced and over-producedproduced

Calculated by subtracting the number of Calculated by subtracting the number of current vacancies for health professions in current vacancies for health professions in the study population from the number of the study population from the number of graduates in 2010-2011graduates in 2010-2011

Sample of Respondents for FacilitiesSample of Respondents for Facilities

Facility TypeFacility Type Sample SizeSample Size Response Rate Response Rate HospitalsHospitals 68 68 61.26%61.26% Nursing homes Nursing homes 90 90 36.59%36.59% Medical clinics Medical clinics 568568 26.06%26.06% County health unitsCounty health units 102102 100.00% 100.00% Community Health Centers,Community Health Centers, 58 58 78.38%78.38% dental clinics dental clinics AHEC clinicsAHEC clinics 8 8 100.00% 100.00% Dentist officesDentist offices 389389 44.97% 44.97% Pharmacies Pharmacies 181181 45.82% 45.82% Ambulance servicesAmbulance services 35 35 56.45% 56.45% Home health care servicesHome health care services 40 40 23.67% 23.67% Total Sample Total Sample 1,539 1,539 36.54% 36.54%

Results: Current and Expected Results: Current and Expected Vacancies for Health ProfessionsVacancies for Health Professions Extrapolated vacancies: Total of 7,021 current Extrapolated vacancies: Total of 7,021 current

and 23,893 expected vacancies for nursing, and 23,893 expected vacancies for nursing, allied health, and pharmacy professions; and for allied health, and pharmacy professions; and for primary care physicians and dentistsprimary care physicians and dentists

Physician specialists had 317 current and 456 Physician specialists had 317 current and 456 expected vacancies.expected vacancies.

Allied health professions had the highest Allied health professions had the highest number of current (4,335) and expected number of current (4,335) and expected (16,468) vacancies.(16,468) vacancies.

Current and Expected Vacancies Current and Expected Vacancies for Nursing Professionsfor Nursing Professions

Nursing had 1,970 current vacancies Nursing had 1,970 current vacancies and 5,675 expected vacancies.and 5,675 expected vacancies.

Current and Expected Vacancies for Nursing Professions

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

Current 5 Year

LPN ADN Diploma BSN APNLicensed Practical Nurse Associate Diploma Nurse Bachelor of Science in NursingAdvanced Practical Nurse

9 17 37

283

715

622

243

405

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

AHEC CommunityHealth

CountyHealthClinic

HomeHealth

MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

PsychHospital

RehabHospital

Current Nursing Vacancies by Facility Type

18 85259

672

16401817

948

21323

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000


CountyHealthClinic

HomeHealth

MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

PsychHospital

RehabHospital

Expected Vacancies for Nursing by Facility Type

80

440

194 216

319

157207

55

302

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Delta Little Rock NorthCentral

Northeast Northwest SouthArkansas

SouthCentral

Southwest West

Current Vacancies for Nursing by Region

187

783566 568

906

196

689

117

1662

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Delta LittleRock

NorthCentral


SouthCentral

Southwest West

Expected Vacancies for Nursing by Region

Current and Expected Vacancies Current and Expected Vacancies for Allied Health Professionsfor Allied Health Professions

Allied health professions had a total Allied health professions had a total of 4,335 current and 16,468 expected of 4,335 current and 16,468 expected vacancies. vacancies.

Current and Expected Vacancies for Allied Health Professions

Current 5 Year

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al

Th

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er

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0


Current 5 Year

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Occupational

Th

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Ph

leb

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ist

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0


Current 5 Year

Activ

itie

s A

ide

Health info

rmation

Syste

ms

Tech

Lic

en

sed

Cou

nselo

r

Medic

al

Labora

tory

Tech

Mdic

al

RecordsTech

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al

Tech

nolo

gis

t

Opth

alm

ic

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nolo

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t

Physic

ian

Assis

tan

t

Psych

iatric

Aid

e

Radio

logic

Tech

Reg

iste

red

Respirato

ryTe

ch

Surg

ical

Tech

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

1429

5660

339

1751

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Cert. NurseAssistant

Home HealthAide


Current

5 Year

9

56

5

40

39

0 28

27

12

32

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Diagn. Med.Sonographer

Nuclear Med.Tech.

Biomed.Instrument Tech.

Cytotechnologist EMTIntermediate

Health Educator


Current

5 Year

46

68

43 45

6 3

38

72

28

76

0

1020

3040

506070

80

Psychologist,Doctoral

Prep.

Psychologist,Master'sPrep.

RadiationTherapist

Cert.RespiratoryTherapist

RegisteredDietitian


Current

5 Year

1135

23

234

959

1463

629786

9114

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

AHEC Ambulance CommunityHealth

DentalOff ice

HomeHealth

MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

PsychiatricHospital

RehabHospital

Current Vacancies for Allied Health Professions by Facility Type

14376

86 2

1009

4044 3791

2601

4137

41144

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

AHEC Ambulance CommunityHealth

CountyHealthClinic

DentalOffice

HomeHealth

MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

PsychiatricHospital

RehabHospital

Expected Vacancies for Allied Health Professions by Facility Type

243

878

564

419

676

166

454

143

792

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900



SouthCentral

Southwest West

Current Vacancies for Allied Health Professions by Region

456

1956

2466

1398

3672

278

1548

277

4419

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500


Northeast Northw est SouthArkansas

SouthCentral

Southw est West

Expected Vacancies for Allied Health Professions by Region

Current and Expected Vacancies for Current and Expected Vacancies for Primary Care PhysiciansPrimary Care Physicians

Primary care physicians had a total of Primary care physicians had a total of 514 current and 860 expected 514 current and 860 expected vacancies.vacancies.

Current and Expected Vacancies for Primary Care Physicians

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Current 5 Year

Family Internal Pediatrics OBGYNPractice Medicine

2 20

328

158

50

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

Current Vacancies for Primary Care Physicians by Facility Type

862

537

223

300

100

200

300

400

500

600


MedicalClinic

MedicalHospital

NursingHome

Expected Vacancies for Primary Care Physicians by Facility Type

41 39

9479

61

4629

16

110

0

20

40

60

80

100

120



SouthCentral

Southwest West

Current Vacancies for Primary Care Physicians by Region

48 57

144 148

101

61

100

65

137

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160



SouthCentral

Southwest West

Expected Vacancies for Primary Care Physicians by Region

Current and Expected Vacancies for Current and Expected Vacancies for Physician SpecialistsPhysician Specialists

Physician specialists had a total of 317 Physician specialists had a total of 317 current and 456 expected vacancies. current and 456 expected vacancies.

Current and Expected Vacancies for Physician Specialists

Current 5 Year

Allerg

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Em

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ed

En

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cs

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y

Neuro

surg

ery

Nu

cle

ar

Med

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Current and Expected Vacancies for Physician Specialists

Current 5 Year

On

colo

gy

Op

hth

alm

olo

gy

Ort

hop

ed

ic S

urg

ery

Oto

laryn

golo

gy

Pain

Med

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ysic

al M

ed

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y

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Rad

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gy D

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eu

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log

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Surg

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Th

oracic

Su

rgery

Uro

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Oth

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50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Vacancies for Physician Specialists by Vacancies for Physician Specialists by Facility TypeFacility Type

Current VacanciesCurrent Vacancies Medical Clinic, 142Medical Clinic, 142 Medical Hospital, 170Medical Hospital, 170 Psych. Hospital, 3Psych. Hospital, 3 Rehab. Hospital, 2Rehab. Hospital, 2

Expected VacanciesExpected Vacancies Medical Clinic, 199Medical Clinic, 199 Medical Hospital, 253Medical Hospital, 253 Psych. Hospital, 5Psych. Hospital, 5 Rehab. Hospital, 2Rehab. Hospital, 2

Vacancies for Physician Specialists by Vacancies for Physician Specialists by RegionRegion

Current VacanciesCurrent Vacancies Expected VacanciesExpected Vacancies Delta 15Delta 15 2020 Little Rock 43Little Rock 43 5757 North Central 37North Central 37 9292 Northeast 58Northeast 58 8585 Northwest 50Northwest 50 5151 South Arkansas 4South Arkansas 4 4 4 South Central 64South Central 64 8383 Southwest 2Southwest 2 8 8 West 44West 44 5959

Current and Expected Vacancies for Current and Expected Vacancies for DentistsDentists

The total number of current vacancies The total number of current vacancies for dentists = 131.for dentists = 131.

The total number of expected The total number of expected vacancies for dentists = 372vacancies for dentists = 372

Current and Expected Vacancies for Dentists

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Current 5 Year

Dentists

Vacancies for Dentists by Facility Vacancies for Dentists by Facility TypeType

Current VacanciesCurrent VacanciesCommunity Health Clinic, 32Community Health Clinic, 32Dental Office, 99Dental Office, 99

Expected Vacancies Expected Vacancies Community Health Clinic, 48Community Health Clinic, 48Dental Office, 324Dental Office, 324

Vacancies for Dentists by Region Vacancies for Dentists by Region

Current Vacancies Current Vacancies Expected VacanciesExpected Vacancies

DeltaDelta 19 19 4040

Little RockLittle Rock 18 18 4646

North Central 8North Central 8 1919

NortheastNortheast 13 13 4747

NorthwestNorthwest 26 26 7878

South ARSouth AR 1111

South Central 11South Central 11 2424

SouthwestSouthwest 4 4 1818

WestWest 32 32 9090

Current and Expected Vacancies Current and Expected Vacancies for Pharmacists for Pharmacists

The total number of current vacancies The total number of current vacancies for pharmacists = 71.for pharmacists = 71.

The total number of expected The total number of expected vacancies for pharmacists = 518vacancies for pharmacists = 518

Current and Expected Vacancies for Pharmacists

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Current 5 Year

Certified PharmTech PharmD

Vacancies for Pharmacists by Facility Type

Current Vacancies Expected Vac

AHEC Clinic 2

Community Health 1 6

Medical Clinic 4 23

Medical Hospital 13 135

Pharmacy 51 342

Psych Hosp. 6

Rehab Hosp. 2 5

Vacancies for Pharmacists by Region

Current Vacancies Expected Vacancies

Delta 6 13

Little Rock 8 28

North Central 10 52

Northeast 11 89

Northwest 54

South AR 4 25

South Central 13 80

Southwest 2 43

West 17 135

Results: Arkansas Selected Results: Arkansas Selected Healthcare Workforce NeedsHealthcare Workforce Needs

Under-Production of Health Professionals:Under-Production of Health Professionals: Family Practice -235Family Practice -235 Physical Therapist -227Physical Therapist -227 Occupational Therapist -225Occupational Therapist -225 Dental Assistant -129Dental Assistant -129 Advanced Practice Nurse -120Advanced Practice Nurse -120 Internal Medicine -85Internal Medicine -85 Certified Medical Assistant -85Certified Medical Assistant -85 Certified Nurse Assistant -85Certified Nurse Assistant -85 Dietary Aide -70Dietary Aide -70 Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant -69Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant -69 Physician Assistant -38Physician Assistant -38 Pediatrics -67Pediatrics -67

Results: Arkansas Selected Results: Arkansas Selected Healthcare Workforce NeedsHealthcare Workforce Needs

Under-Production of Health Professionals:Under-Production of Health Professionals: Certified Occupational Therapy Assist. -52Certified Occupational Therapy Assist. -52 EMT – 41EMT – 41 Psychologist, Doctoral Prepared -35Psychologist, Doctoral Prepared -35 Physical Med./Rehab -34Physical Med./Rehab -34 Obstetrics/Gynecology -34Obstetrics/Gynecology -34 Psychiatry -30Psychiatry -30 Neurology -19Neurology -19 Orthopedic Surgery -17Orthopedic Surgery -17 Medical Lab Tech. -16Medical Lab Tech. -16 Urology -15Urology -15 Neurosurgery -7Neurosurgery -7

ConclusionsConclusions

There were a total of 7,021 current vacancies for There were a total of 7,021 current vacancies for nursing, allied health, and pharmacy professions; nursing, allied health, and pharmacy professions; and for primary care physicians and dentists. and for primary care physicians and dentists.

There were a total of 23,893 expected vacancies There were a total of 23,893 expected vacancies for nursing, allied health, and pharmacy for nursing, allied health, and pharmacy professions; and for primary care physicians and professions; and for primary care physicians and dentists. dentists.

Allied health professions had the highest number Allied health professions had the highest number of current vacancies (4,335) and expected of current vacancies (4,335) and expected vacancies (16,468). vacancies (16,468).

Nursing had 1,970 current vacancies and 5,675 Nursing had 1,970 current vacancies and 5,675 expected vacancies. expected vacancies.

ConclusionsConclusions Primary care physicians had a total of 514 Primary care physicians had a total of 514

current and 860 expected vacancies. current and 860 expected vacancies. Family Practice physicians had the highest Family Practice physicians had the highest

number of current (282) and expected (473) number of current (282) and expected (473) vacancies. vacancies.

There were a total of 317 current vacancies There were a total of 317 current vacancies for physician specialists and Psychiatry had for physician specialists and Psychiatry had the highest number of current vacancies (42). the highest number of current vacancies (42).

Physician specialists had 456 expected Physician specialists had 456 expected vacancies and Hospitalists had the highest vacancies and Hospitalists had the highest number of expected vacancies (47). number of expected vacancies (47).

RecommendationsRecommendations Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) provides Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) provides

strategies for addressing the shortages of health strategies for addressing the shortages of health professions in Arkansas.professions in Arkansas. Involves health professionals working in care teams to improve Involves health professionals working in care teams to improve

efficiency in the delivery of health care and patients’ access to efficiency in the delivery of health care and patients’ access to care care

Rural setting clinical training—Increased training for Rural setting clinical training—Increased training for disadvantaged students and improved perception of rural disadvantaged students and improved perception of rural practicepractice

Increased recruitment and retention of health Increased recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural areas professionals in rural areas

Telemedicine, school telehealth programs, and the use of Telemedicine, school telehealth programs, and the use of Advanced Practice NursesAdvanced Practice Nurses

Increased wages, job flexibility; improved job satisfaction, Increased wages, job flexibility; improved job satisfaction, and mentorship programs and mentorship programs

RecommendationsRecommendations Apprenticeships, early and sustained education in Apprenticeships, early and sustained education in

health careers, flexible pathways to facilitate career health careers, flexible pathways to facilitate career developmentdevelopment

Financial support, academic enrichment, tutorials for Financial support, academic enrichment, tutorials for admissions preparations, and motivational programs admissions preparations, and motivational programs

Recruit new faculty to replace the aging facultyRecruit new faculty to replace the aging faculty Improved physical facilities and clinical placements Improved physical facilities and clinical placements

for health professions education for health professions education Improved salaries for health professions facultyImproved salaries for health professions faculty Partnering with private entities, federal agencies, Partnering with private entities, federal agencies,

health professional training programs, and hospitals health professional training programs, and hospitals to share facilities and provide funding for student to share facilities and provide funding for student loans and scholarshipsloans and scholarships

Implications for Future ResearchImplications for Future Research

Decrease nonrespondents Decrease nonrespondents Yearly assessment of current, expected Yearly assessment of current, expected

vacancies for health professions vacancies for health professions Assess impact of health workforce Assess impact of health workforce

shortages in AR on quality of shortages in AR on quality of healthcare, patient outcomeshealthcare, patient outcomes

Examine job satisfactionExamine job satisfaction

Health Workforce Vacancies in Arkansas Ann B. Bynum, Ed.D. 1, Cathy A. Irwin, Ph.D., R.N. 2 Zoran Bursac, Ph.D., M.P.H. 3 Jimie Jarry, B.A. 2 1 University.

Documents

rural health

distance health

type of health care

health professions education

shortage of health professions

health workforce vacancies

primary care careers

background arkansas