Introduction: The healthcare workforce in Michigan plays a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing and health outcomes of the state's diverse population. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the healthcare workforce in Michigan, focusing on four key disciplines: medicine, pharmacy, social work, and nursing. By examining the unique challenges and opportunities within each field, the presentation seeks to suggest solutions and highlight the role of the Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC) in addressing these challenges.
Methods: Data will be presented through a descriptive analysis approach, drawing upon a range of sources, including the 2020 Census, national and state-level workforce data, and relevant literature. The analysis focuses on key metrics such as workforce supply and demand, demographic composition, geographic distribution, and educational pathways for each of the four disciplines. The presentation also incorporates insights from stakeholder discussions and expert opinions to contextualize the findings and inform recommendations.
Results: The analysis reveals significant health equity challenges facing Michigan residents, including shortages of primary care physicians, behavioral health professionals, and nurses, particularly in underserved and rural areas. The state also faces disparities in the diversity of its healthcare workforce, with certain racial and ethnic groups underrepresented compared to the general population. Additional challenges include an aging workforce, educational bottlenecks, health professionals’ maldistribution, and high levels of burnout and turnover among healthcare professionals. Potential solutions include expanding educational programs and the MI-AHEC Scholars program, increasing funding for training and clinical rotations through MI-AHEC, offering incentives for providers to practice in underserved areas, promoting interprofessional collaboration, and implementing strategies to improve workforce wellbeing and job satisfaction.
Conclusions: Strengthening Michigan's healthcare workforce is essential for building a more equitable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare system that meets the needs of all residents. Addressing workforce challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes investing in education and training, funding of programs that focus on the care of underserved rural and urban communities, promoting inclusion of diverse healthcare providers, and supporting the wellbeing of the healthcare workforce. By optimizing interprofessional collaboration and practice, Michigan can create a more sustainable and resilient healthcare workforce that is better equipped to serve the state's diverse population and adapt to evolving healthcare needs. Policymakers, healthcare leaders, and other stakeholders must work collaboratively to prioritize workforce development and ensure that Michigan's healthcare system has the human capital necessary to provide high-quality care and improve health outcomes for all residents.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
