Most studies of physician attrition rely on Medicare claims data, which indicate when physicians stop billing for clinical services, but they don’t reveal why they stopped billing. Some physicians that are counted as “lost” to the workforce haven’t permanently left, they’ve simply stepped away from clinical practice temporarily. For younger female physicians, temporary exit is…
Practicum education is a critical component of master’s-level behavioral health training, providing students in social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy with supervised, practice-based experience. However, programs increasingly face challenges recruiting and retaining practicum sites and supervisors due to high workloads, limited organizational capacity, inadequate incentives, and growing competition for placements. This article examines…
To address growing demand and make certain that individuals can access timely healthcare, it is essential to maintain an adequate supply of health professionals. An evenly distributed health workforce helps ensure that healthcare services are available across all states in the US, especially in rural and underserved communities. This 2026 update to the data dashboard…
Professional organizations have developed evidence-based guidelines for managing menopause, yet research suggests that some primary care and reproductive health clinicians may lack familiarity with these guidelines or how to apply them to individual patient needs. This report examines clinicians’ knowledge of evidence-based menopause care, accreditation standards for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, and the…
In efforts to build and sustain a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, the US nursing workforce is becoming more diverse, however, keeping those nurses in the workforce is proving to be a major challenge. Between 2018 and 2022, the share of registered nurses leaving their primary jobs more than doubled. And among nurses…
Persistent nursing shortages continue in the United States, even as many licensed nurses are not employed in nursing roles. The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC 2.0) is a mutual licensure recognition agreement, and is used as a strategy to increase workforce supply and flexibility. This article examines whether the NLC 2.0 has helped increase the…
Meeting the nation’s growing healthcare needs requires a strong, well-prepared workforce supported by timely, evidence-based research. The 9 HRSA-funded Health Workforce Research Centers (HWRCs) provide the research and technical expertise needed to inform workforce planning and strategic decision-making at local, state, and national levels. This report highlights the collective accomplishments of the HWRCs over the…
Persistent shortages of the behavioral health workforce have prompted interest in expanding roles for bachelor’s-level behavioral health support workers as a strategy for increasing care. However, the integration of this bachelor’s-level workforce and the roles these individuals fill in the behavioral health system vary widely across states, shaped by differences in regulatory authority, licensure/credentialing, and…
Health Resources and Services Administration-supported health centers (HRSA-HCs) are a critical resource for individuals who may otherwise lack access to care, however there is difficulty recruiting oral health providers, which highlights the importance of retaining current staff. Addressing drivers of well-being outcomes, including job satisfaction, burnout, engagement, and intention to stay, may inform efforts to…
When a community pharmacy closes, patients can lose access to medications, communities can become pharmacy deserts, and pharmacy staff face increased stress and uncertainty. Yet across the US, pharmacy closures continue to rise despite a decade of efforts aimed at addressing financial pressures. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) influence medication reimbursement and are frequently cited as…
