title: Psychiatric workforce needs and recommendations for the community mental health system: a state needs assessment.
abstract: Similar to other states, Georgia is facing workforce challenges within its community mental health system. These issues may be exacerbated as implementation of the Affordable Care Act expands demand for behavioral health services. Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities commissioned a needs assessment to examine the shortage of prescribing providers (psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants) in the state's public mental health system. A unique partnership of key stakeholders developed and conducted the mixed-methods needs assessment at six of Georgia's 27 community mental health centers serving more than 40,000 patients annually. The assessment documented challenges in recruiting and retaining psychiatrists and workforce shortages for all prescriber groups. The authors describe opportunities for optimizing the psychiatric workforce and training the next generation of community psychiatrists.
authors: Dr. Walker and Dr. Druss are with the Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (e-mail: ereisin@emory.edu ). Mr. Berry and Ms. Fitzgerald are with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta. Mr. Citron and Mr. Stephens are with the Cobb/Douglas Community Service Boards and North Georgia Partnership for Behavioral Healthcare, Atlanta. Dr. Rapaport is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. Fred C. Osher, M.D., and Marvin S. Swartz, M.D., are editors of this column.
authors: Elizabeth Reisinger
authors: ER
authors: Walker
authors: Frank W
authors: FW
authors: Berry
authors: Tod
authors: T
authors: Citron
authors: Judy
authors: J
authors: Fitzgerald
authors: Mark H
authors: MH
authors: Rapaport
authors: Bryan
authors: B
authors: Stephens
authors: Benjamin G
authors: BG
authors: Druss
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce
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