Social mission efforts in health professions education are helping to better prepare graduates with skills to address societal needs. These efforts are designed to strategically increase health equity and address health disparities. This article provides an overview of the social mission research landscape and discusses critical evidence gaps.
This webinar explores the use of telehealth and general access to care for underserved populations both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters discuss analysis of 3 unique data sets to examine: 1) Is use of telehealth associated with greater access to care before or during the pandemic?; 2) Is payment parity for telehealth associated…
Many patients without access to private insurance rely on primary care providers who take Medicaid to receive quality, affordable care. However, the number and proportion of primary care providers who take Medicaid varies widely by geographic location. This interactive map allows users to view the number and proportion of primary care providers who take Medicaid…
Clerical burdens have impacted primary care providers that are already facing changes to the healthcare landscape and workforce shortages. These pressures have negative implications for patient care and result in burnout and job dissatisfaction. Medical scribes have emerged as a solution to reduce clerical tasks and negative perceptions of patient/provider interactions associated with the use…
As the COVID-19 pandemic surged throughout the United States, increased demand for health workers led to the implementation of health workforce data and tools to aid planning and response at local, state, and national levels. This article describes the development of 2 estimator tools—the State Hospital Workforce Deficit Estimator and the Contract Tracing Workforce Estimator—designed…
Health disparities have worsened over the last 20 years in the United States, and research has exposed the role of health care systems in contributing to these disparities. Based on race/ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, and geography, communities face disproportionately higher disparities in access, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately resulting in adverse health outcomes. This…
Many states have adjusted their payment regulations to support increases in the usage of telehealth during the pandemic in order to make sure that patients have access to remote care. Prior research has suggested that reimbursement parity requirements are associated with higher levels of telehealth adoption, but more research is needed to verify how such…
Distance learning for social worker has increased in recent years as an effective way to provide access to education for students in underserved communities and increase the diversity of the workforce. However, the extent to which distance learning lives up to these goals remains unclear. This article describes a study that analyzed data on 2018…
Distance learning in social work has proliferated in recent years. It is increasingly promoted as a strategy for diversifying the social work workforce and expanding access to graduate education for individuals in rural and under-served communities. Findings indicate that online and blended education is associated with practice in rural and underserved areas. This article examines…
The Mullan Institute estimates that between now and March 20, 2021, 7% of counties in the USwill experience hospital workforce staffing strains due to COVID-19 hospitalizations. Using new county-level projections of COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU occupancy provided, it is estimated that 209 counties will need to implement crisis workforce strategies. This involves tiered staffing strategies…
