Health Care Careers and Workforce

Health care: Where the jobs are

In a new ranking of the top 100 jobs from U.S. News & World Report, health care jobs figure prominently, with six of the top 10 spots: dentist (1), registered nurse (2), pharmacist (3), physician (5), physical therapist (8) and dental hygienist (10).

An article in the Washington Post reflects the strength of health care as a jobs creator. Even in the Washington, D.C. area, with its obvious emphasis on government and contracting jobs, health care "has emerged as the chief driver of the region's job growth."

Health care teamwork: The best medicine?

New AMA policy, approved at the association's Interim meeting in November, states that "medical education should prepare students for practice in physician-led interprofessional teams." Read more.

Indeed, delegating tasks to other qualified health professionals and support personnel can help physicians rediscover the joy of practicing medicine and avoid burnout—along with ensuring a higher quality of patient care.

That's the conclusion of Peter Anderson, MD, of Virginia, a family physician who is also a "familiar physician," as he calls it. "A physician that knows that their patients, and a physician that the patient knows, is far and away the best deliverer of both quality and cost-efficient healthcare," said Dr. Anderson in a recent article in The Atlantic, "To love medicine again, physicians need to delegate."

From a workforce perspective, delegation to appropriately licensed and supervised personnel, including physician assistants and nurse practitioners, can help mitigate the physician shortage. Electronic health care records and communication, along with "pods" of physicians working in tandem, are two other promising techniques, argue the authors of a recent Health Affairs study.

Meanwhile, medical schools are changing how students are being trained, according to a recent article in Crain's New York Business. "They are putting a heavy premium on teamwork among doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, health aides and physician assistants. Doctors prescribe the medicine, but it may be the nurse, the social worker or the home health aide who makes sure it gets taken."

Athletic trainers play vital role in youth sports safety

A recent summit in Washington, D.C., convened by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, raised awareness of the need for improved medical care in the high school setting and, in particular, immediate availability of properly trained medical personnel including athletic trainers.

Today, only 42% of high schools have access to athletic trainers, who can help fill the gap that currently exists in many school districts. Athletic trainers work under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and are qualified to provide concussion evaluation, management and baseline testing, exertional return to play protocols, and musculoskeletal injury evaluation, among other services.

Athletic trainers also develop and implement emergency action plans, inclement weather policies and ensure proper equipment fitting, fabrication and application. They often work closely with the school nurse to conduct pre-participation physical exams, secure necessary releases and evaluate injuries that occur during the school day.

The role of the athletic trainer as part of a school's healthcare team, including the physician, nurse and others, is vital to ensure safety of the student athlete whether to prevent and manage injury or to return the athlete to play in the most effective, safe and efficient way.

Learn more about the Youth Sports Safety Alliance.

Comments requested on proposed radiologic technology standards

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology has released draft Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance, and Medical Dosimetry. Comments on draft 1 are due by Mar. 1; draft 2 will be available later this spring.

View the standards.

Enrollment down in radiography programs; up in radiation therapy, nuclear medicine

The number of students entering radiography educational programs decreased in 2012, according to new data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Compared to 2011, the number of radiography students entering programs in 2012 decreased 4.7 percent, compared to growth of 16.5 percent in radiation therapy and 19.7 percent in nuclear medicine.

Meanwhile, the job placement rate for recent program graduates was 85 percent for radiography students and 86 percent for radiation therapy, versus 57.2 percent for nuclear medicine.

Apply for new practitioner slot on allied health board

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has a new opening on its Commission for a "practitioner" representative. This new Commissioner, who must be a graduate of a CAAHEP-accredited program, will also serve on the CAAHEP Board of Directors.  

Learn more and apply now. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 28.

Order your copy now of the 2012-2013 Health Care Careers Directory

The 2012-2013 Health Care Careers Directory is now available for purchase—order your copy now. This updated edition includes 8,900 health professions education programs in more than 80 different fields.

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AMA resources for you

• Learn about the AMA Council on Medical Education.
• Learn more about patient safety in medical education.
• Follow the AMA medical education and professional ethics Twitter pages.
• Read the latest issue of American Medical News.