Data
Data is at the center of everything we do at the Bowen Center. We rely on data because it is impartial and informative.
Why does data matter?
Data is crucial to what we do because it helps to inform the questions researchers and policymakers may have about the health workforce. For example, how many actively practicing physicians do we have and where do they practice? Are there any areas where there is a severe shortage? After the data answers those questions, solutions can begin to be developed.
About Indiana Workforce Data
Over the last several years, information has been collected from health professionals during online license renewal. Indiana Code 25-1-2-10 requires selected health professionals to report information that is critical to inform state policy and planning activities. The required information includes demographics, education and training, practice information, services provided, and populations served.
Who does SEA 223-2018 Affect?
Indiana Code 25-1-2-10 applies to licensees under the following licensing boards:
• Indiana Medical Licensing Board
• Indiana State Board of Nursing
• Indiana State Board of Dentistry
• Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board
• Indiana State Psychology Board
• Indiana Board of Pharmacy
What is the purpose of collecting this data?
Collecting timely data on the health workforce allows states and researchers to identify workforce trends and have an accurate representation of the workforce. Regular tracking of the health workforce also helps to inform initiatives aimed at workforce development. This could include workforce shortage areas, recruitment incentives, policy/programming, profession-specific initiatives, workforce evaluations, and more.
Where are the data reported?
Our team regularly produces and publishes technical data reports and policy briefs. Technical reports have been helpful to research and planning activities, providing detailed data table and graphs which provide a comprehensive description health professions. On the other hand, policy briefs include graphics and a deep dive into health professions in the context of current Indiana State codes. These resources can be found in the Bowen Library To make information on Indiana’s health workforce even more accessible, we have implemented a new data visualization tool using Tableau. These interactive workforce dashboards make the data on Indiana’s health workforce more dynamic, engaging, and useful.
Why Tableau?
Using Tableau, our team can ensure the information on Indiana’s health workforce is available to stakeholders in a timely, dynamic, and customizable format. Stakeholders can interact with the data to answer their specific questions. The Tableau platform is also able to store longitudinal information, enabling users to visualize trends in the workforce over multiple years.
Need More Info?
If you would like more information about our data collection process, view the metadata available on each dashboard page beneath the visualizations. If the visualizations are not able to answer your question, you can always contact us to submit a data inquiry or email us at bowenctr@iu.edu.
Professions Surveying and Reporting
For the most recent professions survey, please visit the Bowen Library.
Filter by: Report Type > Survey Tools. To further narrow your search you may also filter by profession.
Looking for our data resources?
All of our resources can be found in the Bowen Library!
Whether you’re looking for supplemental data collection instruments or workforce reports, you can find these resources by searching among topic areas such as Data Collection and Information Management or Supply, Demand, and Distribution. You can further narrow your search by selecting profession(s) and year published. You can also search by keyword in the search bar.
If you are not able to find what you are looking for, we would love to help. We can help by pointing you to existing resources, answering specific questions, or setting up a special project that fulfills your needs. Fill out our contact form to get in touch.
New Interactive Data Dashboards
Visual, customizable, and interactive.
Visualize and customize Indiana’s health workforce data like never before. Covering areas like demographics, geographic supply, and practice, you can get a broad picture of Indiana’s health workforce, or drill down to get very granular information. The possibilities are endless.
Recent Data Blog Posts
Policymakers Tapping into the Power of Indiana’s Health Workforce Data
The Bowen Center believes in the power of data to support informed policy. Workforce data provides valuable insights regarding trends in and dynamics of supply, pinpoints where shortages exist and informs emerging workforce models which aim to fill gaps. The Bowen...
Through My Eyes: Work Experience in Diversity
Often, I have heard that you learn more by way of experience than from school. I found this to be true as during the past year and a half that I have worked with the Bowen Center. I have learned valuable information that has made me a well-rounded public health...
Through My Eyes: Black Maternal Health
Black maternal health has been a professional passion of mine since completing an internship focused on data informed policy solutions to Black maternal health issues while in graduate school. As a Black woman, it has also been a personal passion. When I became a...
Data Dump on Indiana’s Nurses in 2023
In the last month the Bowen Center has published our two bi-annual data and brief reports from license renewals, but also two separate briefs. These two extra briefs look at how the Demand for RNs is expected to grow (our RN Demand Brief) and Licensing of APRNs, how...
License Renewal Survey FAQs
Having trouble with the license renewal survey? We’re answering all your burning questions to make the process easier. If you have a question we don’t answer, contact the Bowen Center at bowenctr@iu.ed or 317-278-0316 and we’ll be happy to help.
Senate Enrolled Act 223 (2018): What does it mean for Indiana’s health workforce data?
Senate Enrolled Act 223 (or SEA 223) has been put into effect. We’re answering the common questions of who it affects, why it’s necessary, and what the data will be used for.