The development of a state-level health manpower database using an employer-based survey: a pilot project.
State health care reform may provide a better approach to meeting the health care needs of rural communities than does federal reform because the planning is closer to the needs of local communities. However, state health reform requires a health manpower database (along with other data) that includes all health occupations and such databases are often nonexistent. This study reports on one element of such a database--a survey of a wide range of rural health care employers covering the full range of health occupations in Alabama. Information on current and future employment of the most significant health occupations is reported here. It was found that the greatest numbers of new health personnel employees needed in the future were, in descending order, nursing assistants, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, radiological technicians, specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, primary care physicians, and respiratory care therapists. While an employer survey has limitations and should be supplemented by data on community needs and health status indicators, it does provide useful information for planning educational programs to prepare health personnel.
Bamberg
R
R
School of Health-Related Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294.
Malvey
D
D
Wainright
C
C
Fottler
M D
MD
Joiner
C L
CL
D000407:Alabama; D003625:Data Collection; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007325:Institutional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012423:Rural Health; D013221:State Health Plans; D014481:United States