The Kansas Reflector welcomes input from writers who share the goal of broadening the conversation about how public policy impacts the daily lives of people across the state. David Jordan based in Hutchinson United Methodist Department of Health Fund.
Healthcare is essential to our communities and the pressure is on the rise. In Part 1 of this series, We took a look at the challenges Kansas faces in supporting the health care system and workforce that communities need to thrive.
Recognizing changing demographics, workforce challenges, and changes in healthcare delivery presents an opportunity to build a sustainable healthcare system for the future.
United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to pre-plan and better understand health worker crises A commissioned study investigating the current healthcare professional education pipeline in Kansas. Researchers at KU School of Medicine and McPherson College analyzed program completion data for 2019 using the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
as healthcare facing a serious labor shortageWith medical profession programs located throughout Kansas, the report shows opportunities for Kansas to strengthen its base and increase its local workforce.
In 2019, 11,804 students graduated from 459 health professional programs at 51 Kansas institutions. Most (62.7%) completed her degree program of two years or less in duration. The highest number of graduates completed degree programs in nursing or related medicine.
Most graduates graduate from programs with no more than two years of training, Reduce credit loss and barriers to additional training and degrees There is a need Ensure an accessible transfer path 2 to 4 year higher education institutions. Also, policies requiring credit transfer between Kansas institutions of higher education should be considered.
Similarly, secondary, technical, and post-secondary education programs should be adjusted to ensure that high school-completed health care training is transferable and aligned with the needs of degree programs and employers.
Governor Laura Kelly recently launched apprentice officeaims to develop and train new talent in important industries such as healthcare.
We need to look at scope of work and pay policies to get the most out of our employees and implement smart systems and policies that allow all providers in our team to maximize their scope of work. there is.
An example of this is the newly recognized Kansas Community Health Worker Programtrain community members in the certification programs it offers. Critical health coaching, resource and care coordination services, education and navigation servicesCHW helps consumers navigate the system better and use less expensive services. This allows providers to focus on practice beyond the scope of their duties, reducing the burden on overworked staff. CHW is now accredited, Medicaid refund policy needs to be changed to ensure providers are paid for their services.
There is an opportunity to make greater use of providers such as physician assistants and dental therapists to provide care under a physician-led team. Expanding the scope of work of his members of the team increases their ability to meet employee challenges.
We can leverage technology to maximize our workforce and better serve Kansas. Telemedicine offers that opportunity. Before COVID-19, only 11% of US consumers used telemedicine, but 2020 has revealed its unique benefits, especially in rural areas. Consumers and providers now agree that telemedicine will take holdplays an important role in integrated patient-centered care systems.
Make reliable broadband accessible to all Kansasians We can distribute the workforce and redesign the healthcare system in a different way. Residents will be able to access specialized care that is difficult to recruit in their communities while reducing the burden of recruitment. However, policies will need to change if this innovation is to be fostered in the long term.
Employee competitiveness requires an economically viable system. Kansas is one of 11 states that have not expanded Medicaid., which exposes hospitals and other providers to financial risk.Expansion Eliminate high levels of uncompensated careprevent further hospital closures and benefit all health care providers in Kansas.
Changing needs require new approaches.under local emergency hospital model, Hospitals continue to provide emergency services and routine care However, acute inpatient treatment is discontinued.
Beyond direct workforce and healthcare issues, Kansas needs to ensure community support to ensure that healthcare workers, including child care, stay in Kansas. 2020 research report Only 3% of Kansas counties achieved the required capacity — Pre-COVID-19while solving . parenting crisis Sustained work is needed at all levels of government, we can take a step todayincluding better use of child care subsidies.
There is no single solution. Increasing the healthcare workforce requires research, collaboration, policy change and the willingness to change the status quo. By working together, the people of Kansas can ensure our communities have access to health care and thrive for generations to come.join the conversation at https://communityconversationssk.com.
Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of those affected by public policy or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own comments. here.
