WORKING GROUPS
THE JOBS PRESCRIPTION
BUILDING THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE
In April 2011, the healthcare industry added over 37,000 jobs, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that the healthcare workforce will add 3.2 million new jobs between 2008 and 2018, more than any other industry. Despite the increasing number of available jobs, the healthcare sector continues to face a decade-long labor shortage. Reports indicate a shortfall of up to 91,000 doctors by 2020 and 260,000 registered nurses by 2025.
The healthcare workforce’s shortage is driven by shifting demographics, uneven geographic distribution, and an influx of new patients who will receive health insurance coverage for the first time because of federal legislation. There is also a considerable mismatch between the most robustly represented skills in the current healthcare workforce and the nation’s future needs. Innovative solutions will require fresh ideas and a renewed focus on cross-sector partnerships. By bringing together participants from a number of sectors and health professions, this Working Group will explore innovative models for improving and expanding professional training, strengthening health-care delivery, and emphasizing wellness and prevention.
SUBTOPICS
SKILLS MISMATCH
Many governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions have developed initiatives to address the skills mismatch in the healthcare workforce. This subtopic will explore models for skills development and training for providers to address key health needs.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
Around 20 percent of Americans live in areas where there is a lack of access to adequate medical services. This subtopic will address the concurrent uneven geographical distribution of healthcare workers.
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
More students will choose careers in health – in areas of high need – if they have access to affordable financing and career training focused on areas such as primary care and preventative medicine. Retaining this talent means improving work environments, establishing career pathways, and ensuring improved pay, particularly for low-wage jobs.