Beyond the Pandemic: The Relationship Between Macroeconomic Conditions and Healthcare Worker Shortages in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified longstanding health workforce shortages, with hospitals, nursing facilities, and rural providers struggling to retain staff even after COVID-19 hospitalizations declined. Historically, healthcare employment has shown a countercyclical relationship with the broader economy, expanding during downturns such as the Great Recession. These dynamics, influenced by gender, race, and macroeconomic conditions, suggest that…

Who Is Leaving the Emergency Medical Services Workforce?

Emergency medical services (EMS) are a critical part of the US healthcare, public health, and public safety systems, providing both emergency and non-emergency care across diverse pre-hospital settings. EMS clinicians hold tiered credentials based on education, certification, and licensure, yet workforce shortages persist due to the absence of a comprehensive national database. This article examines…

US Home Care Worker’s Access to and Use of Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, state and federal governments, along with home care agencies, implemented system-level changes to help retain home care workers in response to evolving challenges and the availability of new resources and information. This article provides insights that can assist policymakers and employers in developing policies and resources to support the home…

Implicit and Explicit Race and Weight Biases Among Physician Assistant Preceptors and Trainees

As new equity, diversity, and inclusion programs emerge in physician assistant/associate (PA) education, there is a need to assess baseline levels of implicit and explicit biases among PA preceptors’ and trainees. This article explores implicit and explicit race (Black/White) and weight (fat/thin) biases among PA preceptors and trainees and discusses potential gaps in PA preceptor…

New Opportunities or More of the Same? Health Industry Entrants in the Post-Pandemic Era

The healthcare sector in the US, traditionally a source of stable employment, experienced significant workforce disruptions during the pandemic, with job losses and elevated exit rates, especially among women and Black and Hispanic workers. While concerns about workforce diversity persist, little is known about who is entering the field post-pandemic, despite renewed and growing demand…

Impacts of Skilled Nursing Facility Change of Ownership on Staffing: A Staggered Difference-in-Difference Analysis

Staffing and ownership transparency have recently become key national policy priorities for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which are now facing heightened regulatory scrutiny. New federal regulations require greater transparency in reporting ownership changes and introduce controversial minimum staffing requirements for nursing positions. This article examines a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) analysis of whether SNF changes in…

Career Pathways Into the Medical Laboratory Workforce: Education, Exposures, and Motivations

The medical laboratory workforce plays a critical role in the US health care system, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic by a heightened need for workers to meet drastic increases in demand for COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing medical laboratory workforce challenges. To address future demand, it is crucial to examine the…

Low Birthweight Rate Differences Associated With Distinct Perinatal Staffing Mixes at Federally Funded Health Centers

Health centers—often referred to as federally qualified health centers or FQHCs—play a vital role in addressing perinatal inequities. However, there is limited data on how various staffing models, including the presence of certified nurse midwives (CNMs), influence perinatal outcomes. This article identifies how different health center perinatal staffing configurations—including the availability and use of CNMs—relate…

Economic Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health Care Workers by Educational Attainment

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers with less formal education, such as nursing assistants and home care aides, were more likely to experience economic insecurity—including real or perceived financial instability—compared to their more highly educated counterparts, such as physicians and nurses. To understand how the pandemic affected these workers, researchers analyzed economic insecurity during…

Differences in Staffing for Non-Nursing Occupations Across US Skilled Nursing Facilities During 2018-2023

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) play a dual role, offering post-acute care services to short-stay patients and long-term care for permanent residents. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing in SNFs has garnered significant national attention, with efforts underway to enhance the quality of patient care. While research indicates that staffing levels for non-nursing roles…

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