Birth doulas, who support pregnant women during the perinatal period, have positive impacts on pregnancy and birth outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. However, health workforce-related barriers challenge the development of robust doula services in the United States. This article examines various approaches to train, recruit, and employ doulas, as well as what system-level changes are…
Prior research by the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies’ (UW CHWS) found that supply estimates of health professionals at national and state levels vary across secondary data sets such as the American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, and the Occupational Employment Statistics. Additional UW CHWS analyses found age cohort trends and commuting…
The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides federal healthcare that his specific to the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. Because the vast majority of AI/ANs do not belong to federally recognized tribes and other factors limiting the accessibility of IHS services, a better understanding of how AI/ANs obtain healthcare outside the IHS is needed. This brief…
Medical assistants (MAs) are among the fastest-growing occupations in the US. However, there are high turnover rates and providers have difficulty filling MA positions. Employers are increasingly using apprenticeship to meet emerging workforce needs. This article discusses a qualitative study that examined perspectives of 14 employers using registered MA apprenticeships in 8 states. Findings included…
Estimating the supply of the allied health workforce at the state level requires the use of multiple data sources. The American Community Survey and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics are 2 data sources that can be used to help estimate the supply of the allied health workforce in each state. This interactive dashboard allows users…
To help policymakers plan for allied health workforce changes, they need easily accessible data. The Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University of Washington has multiple dashboards that allows users to explore publicly available data on current allied health workforce trends. This dashboard allows users to compare the age distributions of different allied health…
To help policymakers plan for allied health workforce changes, they need easily accessible data. The Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University of Washington has multiple dashboards that allows users to explore publicly available data on current allied health workforce trends. This dashboard allows users to compare work and residence locations for sixteen different…
Research has shown evidence of doulas’ positive impacts on maternal health outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. Such research supports expanding access to doula services. However, health workforce-related barriers challenge the development of robust doula services in the US. This article published in the Journal of Perinatal Education investigates organizations’ barriers regarding training, recruitment, and employment of doulas….
To meet growing demand, address social determinants of health, and improve health equity, a larger and more diverse registered nurse (RN) workforce is needed in the US. To do so, it is important to understand current pathways and barriers to becoming an RN. This article published in Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice examines prior health…
Community-based doulas provide essential services and expertise which address inequities and systemic gaps in perinatal care. However, as they work to improve perinatal health, doulas themselves are providing equity work amidst an inequitable system and with insufficient political or financial support. Increased compensation and systemic support which acknowledges the breadth of services provided are needed…
