Professional Workforce Development

Local Health Department Infrastructure Survey

This study updated existing information on public health capacity by providing a picture of the kinds of services local health departments provide day-to-day. The study also examined how responsibility for public health activities within local jurisdictions varies nationwide, highlighted priority areas requiring increased resources at the local level, described the public health workforce and workforce needs, and explored the partnerships and collaborative activities that characterize public health practice.

Nursing Workforce Demand

For almost 20 years, the Public Health Service has forecast the demand for registered nurses using a variety of techniques. It also keeps a set of statistics that describe the nursing workforce. Nurses prepare for the licensing exam through a number of postsecondary educational programs, including associate's programs, diploma programs, and baccalaureate programs. They also gain experience working in different health care settings. To determine the relationship between nursing practice qualifications and nursing practice in different health care sectors, we developed a classification of qualifications based on a review of the research literature, other documentation (such as state nursing regulations), and discussions with experts. Additionally, we developed methods and identifying data to validate this classification and to estimate the proportion of nurses at each level.

For a copy of "Development of a Process to Assess the Differentiated Levels of Nursing Work Force Demand," contact Publications at (609) 275-2350.

Memphis Health Care Workforce Study

Memphis has pockets of poverty associated with high morbidity and high health care needs. It also has rapidly expanding middle-class suburbs that are attracting new providers. Health services delivery is dominated by a few large systems. In the late 1900s, rapid changes in hospital ownership, managed care penetration, and use of inpatient care began to follow nationwide trends. We developed a profile of the health service delivery system in Memphis and assessed whether the area had shortages of allied health professionals and paraprofessionals. We also looked at whether any shortages were likely to continue.

Findings were based on interviews with local experts; local and state statistical data on the local population and allied health professionals and paraprofessionals in the community; and data on local, regional, and national trends in service use and the growth of managed care and other innovations. To develop shortage forecasts, we used scenarios that an advisory panel helped construct for health services delivery in Memphis-Shelby County through the year 2007. We found probable shortages in 8 of the 28 allied health occupations reviewed. For five of the eight occupations—nurse aides, speech language pathologists, audiologists, home health aides, and personal and home care aides—strong evidence of shortages was found. For three occupations—physical therapists, occupational therapists, and medical laboratory staff—some evidence was found.

For a copy of "The Memphis Health Care Workforce: Strategies to Avoid Shortages in a Climate of Change," contact Publications at (609) 275-2350.

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