Assessing the need for multicompetent allied health care professionals in the HMO setting

In the past decade, changes in health care reimbursement and emphasis on cost containment have changed patterns of health care delivery. Among these changes are the rapid decline of the hospital as the center of care, and an emphasis on managed systems of health care delivery. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have grown rapidly, and now control a significant portion of the health care marketplace. As such, HMOs provide nontraditional employment settings for allied health professionals. To date, little is known regarding the status of allied health professionals in the HMO setting. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceived need for nontraditional multicompetent allied health professionals in the HMO setting. Results indicate that group and staff model HMOs have a high number of traditionally prepared allied health professionals. In addition, a large number of these sites employ multicompetent professionals, most of whom receive "in-house" training. Further research regarding the role expectations for such professionals is indicated.