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| January 2006 | |
Dear Reader, It's a truism that networking is the key to success in many of life's endeavors—it's not what you know, it's who you know. As befits its name, the Health Professions Network puts networking front and center. Who do we know? . . .
These and many other organizational relationships that the HPN has forged over its 10-year history have ensured wider recognition for allied health. Become an active member of our network to take advantage of the many networking opportunities that HPN offers, for the benefit of your profession—and yourself.
HPN Coordinating Team Contents
1. The HPN Coordinating Team – hard at work since the fall meeting Since the Fall 2005 HPN meeting in Louisville, the Coordinating Team has had several phone conferences to discuss ways to continue to improve the Health Professions Network. As always, comments from attendees at the fall meeting were discussed so that each meeting will address the needs of our changing membership. The Coordinating Team spent significant time discussing a proposal to market allied health professions nationwide, similar to the Johnson and Johnson campaign for the nursing profession. Please attend the Spring HPN meeting for more details on this very exciting project. The Coordinating Team members hold a monthly conference call to track the many outstanding endeavors that HPN has undertaken. Contact Gregg Robinson if you are interested in attending one of these meetings or in joining the Coordinating Team. 2. Federal data show allied health on a steep growth curve According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care support occupations are expected to grow by a whopping 33.3% by 2014, the highest percent change of all occupations. In addition, BLS data show that 7 of the 10 fastest growing occupations through 2014 are traditionally considered allied health fields! Topping the list is home health aides with a 56% increase in employment by 2014. Medical assistants, physician assistants, physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, dental assistants and personal and home care aides round out the list. 3. HPN working closely with US Dept of Labor The Health Professions Network was privileged to have two guest speakers at its fall meeting from federal agencies—Young Song, MS, MPH, RD, Senior Program Management Officer from DHHS/HRSA/Bureau of Health Professions, and Gina King, from the Business Relations Group of the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration—who led an extremely informative panel discussion on federal allied health initiatives. Although Young Song is a long-time supporter of the Health Professions Network, Gina King is somewhat new to our organization. In a follow-up phone conversation Gina King and the HPN's Theresa Green discussed ways the two groups could partner to improve the health care workforce for the future. Ms. King was extremely supportive and suggested many ways in which we could work together. The Consumer Awareness Team, led by Judy Simpson, will be working with Gina on DOL's Career Voyages Web site to add several allied health professions, and a guest speaker from DOL will be at the next HPN meeting to discuss Workforce Boards and potential links with allied health professions. In addition, the HPN and BLS will work together to ensure that all federal allied health professions data will be accurate and complete. Learn more about the Department of Labor and its Employment and Training Administration. 4. How do we increase diversity in allied health? It is common knowledge that more diversity is needed in the health care workforce, and the allied health professions are no exception. Ms. Sharon Palmer, RD, gives an interesting and thought-provoking summary of this issue in "Where's the Diversity." Please join the HPN in March as we hear a guest speaker discuss the issues surrounding cultural competence and increasing diversity in allied health professions. This is a timely topic, one that demands action from all leaders in health care. 5. Federal funding cuts affect allied health As you are all aware, HPN has been working with the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) to increase funding for Title VII programs at the federal level. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of many, severe cuts have been made to the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Allied health programs fall in this category under "Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages," which was reduced by $49 million, eliminating funding for the health education and training centers, geriatric programs and rural training. Allied health funding was decreased by $7.7 million, leaving $4 million. However, according to Young Song, who manages the program, all this money has been set aside for the Graduate Psychology Education Program and the Chiropractic Demonstration Program. The AHPP is totally zeroed-out this year. Therefore, there will be no competing grant cycle in FY 2006 for allied health programs. What can be done to change this for FY 2007? HPNEC suggests two things: first, begin documenting the impact these cuts will have on your professions and programs, and second, promote an increase for the health discretionary portion of the budget resolution. Look to your HPN list serve for more on this very important topic. 6. Collaboration the key to addressing health care workforce shortages Health care leaders in Virginia have the right idea, holding a recent summit to address allied health and nursing workforce shortages. In a ground-breaking collaboration, presidents from colleges and universities and health care institutions serving Northern Virginia met, sponsored by NoVaHealthFORCE, to commit to addressing the critical shortage of health care professionals in the region. The presidents agreed that, if left unattended, the health care worker crisis will result in "significant negative consequences, limited not only to health care, but also severely compromising the economic competitiveness of the community as a whole. The scarcity of nursing and allied health care workers will increase costs for businesses and individuals and negatively impact the region's economic infrastructure and quality of life and quality of care in the community." 7. Attend the Spring HPN Meeting in Atlanta The invitations have been mailed, so mark your calendars for the upcoming Spring Meeting of the Health Professions Network to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, March 16-19. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the meeting, entitled "Investing in Healthcare's Human Capitol." The Coordinating Team has identified speakers on several topics, including the keynote presentation on "Frontline Health and the Health Care Workforce," from Health Workforce Solutions LLC. Other topics include:
Please join us for what promises to be another fabulous, fun and informative meeting of the Health Professions Network. For more details and to register, go to the HPN Website 8. New AMA allied health directory available soon The new 2006-2007 edition of the AMA's Health Professions Career and Education Directory will printed soon. This updated edition includes information on 6,666 educational programs in 67 professions. To order your copy, call 800 621-8335. To receive a copy of the order form, send an e-mail to meded@ama-assn.org. For fastest service, be sure to specify the phrase "HPCED" in the e-mail's subject line. | |
| Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health professionals. |
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