Focus Area: Healthcare Workforce Development

Overview

Workforce needs in healthcare and allied health positions is at a crisis point. Doctors, nurses and other health and social care workers are in short supply across WNC and the state. According to the Mountain Areas Health Education Center:

• All 16 WNC counties are primary care health professional shortage areas

• Only 3 out of 5 adults in WNC had a dental visit in the past year

• 8 WNC counties have no practicing general psychiatrist

• 7 WNC counties have no practicing ob/gyns

The WNC HPI is committed to identifying, developing and supporting pathways for Western North Carolinians to train and succeed in these careers, as well as to recruit and retain providers from outside the region to address regional gaps in provider coverage. Addressing contributing issues such as access to childcare, housing and other SDOH, as well as exploring policy solutions that allow providers to optimize their scope of practice and access to reimbursement models that are more financially and administratively sustainable, are other critical aspects of our workforce development focus.