Allied health workforce shortages: the systemic barriers to response

Over the last decade, the increasingly severe workforce shortages developing in some allied health professions have drawn the attention of university, government, and institutional researchers and policymakers. A 1991 American Hospital Association survey shows allied health professions dominating the "vacancy rate" list, with physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) at the top. Separate surveys have documented growing shortages in the OT and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) areas. According to a recent survey by the South Carolina Hospital Association, hospital vacancy rates in OT and PT are particularly severe, but there are also significant shortages in the CRNA and Medical Technologist (ASCP) subfields. The imperatives of cost containment are increasing the demand in South Carolina and elsewhere for rehabilitative and outpatient care provided by many allied health professionals, but there is growing concern that the educational system will not be able to respond adequately to these growing workforce needs. These predictions of growing shortages are further confirmed by recent occupational forecasts issued by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Allied health researchers do not completely agree on the reasons for the development of subfield shortages, or on how severe they really are. Improving alternative career prospects for females low public and professional images, and employee burnout, among other factors, have been suggested. A survey of the allied health literature shows four additional broad areas of investigation.