by Guest Author | Jul 10, 2019
These fact sheets present detailed information on each of Indiana’s 92 counties. Information is provided on population and health system characteristics for each county which is critical to Indiana’s health system for planning and policy development. For each county, population characteristics such as age, race, economic indicators, health status, and education attainment were reported. Health system characteristics were also reported. Health workforce supply, healthcare facilities, and health professions shortages were used to estimate access to health care for each county. Data in each fact sheet provide stakeholders with information needed to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for Indiana residents through policy making, workforce development, and resource allocation. Additionally, fact sheets may be useful to local organizations seeking information for grant proposals or program implementation.
by Guest Author | Jul 10, 2019
As Indiana plans for the development of a strong nursing workforce, data should be used to inform decisions that are able to 1) accurately describe the current workforce and 2) identify challenges and emerging issues. Data informed decisions will result in workforce policies and planning efforts that closely align with the actual health workforce needs. This report provides a ‘snapshot’ of the most recent data on Indiana’s nursing workforce, identifies emerging issues, and presents information pertinent to workforce planning and policy.
by Guest Author | Jul 10, 2019
Over the past few years, and in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the result of the 2012 Presidential election, access to health care services has been in the forefront of health care discussions. Driving these discussions are rising chronic disease rates, skyrocketing health care costs, and the ever increasing number of individuals falling into that black hole known as the “uninsured” — all of which are major burdens on Indiana’s health system. Regardless of ones perspective on health reform, the links between primary health care access, health outcomes, and health care costs are undeniable [1-3]. People with access to primary health care services live longer, healthier lives, and the overall cost of their health care are less than those without access to these services. Ensuring a strong primary health care system across the State of Indiana is crucial to ensuring the health of Hoosiers and improving the efficiency of Indiana’s health system. However, before our current system can be strengthened, it must be understood. This begs the following questions: what is primary care?; why is it important?; who provides these services?; and where are they located? The development and implementation of health policies and primary health care programs that would secure Hoosier health relies on the ability of the State of Indiana to make informed decisions.
by Guest Author | Jul 10, 2019
Assuring that mental health services are available and accessible for all Hoosiers that need them is important to reduce related morbidity and mortality and improve mental health. At the community-level, the availability of mental health services is largely based upon the supply and distribution of the workforce that delivers mental health services. Indiana’s licensed mental health workforce is comprised of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and a number of mental health professionals. A number of important issues emerge from recent data on the supply and distribution of this workforce. These issues, described throughout the document and outlined below, have been organized for the purpose of informing the agenda for mental health workforce policy in the State of Indiana. These issues emerged in objective consideration of workforce data and do not take into account perspectives of any one profession or stakeholder group.
by Guest Author | Jul 10, 2019
Indiana’s registered nurse workforce is comprised of health care providers working in a range of settings and specialties. Information on the supply and distribution of this workforce is critical to Indiana’s health system for planning and policy development. Supply data on Indiana’s registered nurse workforce are routinely collected in the form of surveys administered in conjunction with the biennial nursing license renewal process. During the 2013 re-licensure period, 99,545 registered nurses renewed their license in Indiana. After filtering out individuals who did not respond to the survey, did not hold an active or probationary license, and did not practice in Indiana, 53,135 registered nurses were included in the report for analysis. The survey had a 93.1 percent response rate. In 2013, the majority of registered nurses were white (92.8%) and female (93.8%). The mean age of registered nurses was 45.7 years of age. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) were slightly older with a mean age of 48.5 years old. Registered nurses were primarily employed in staff nurse positions. Hospitals were the most common work setting. In 2013, the majority of RNs held a Bachelor’s degree or higher (56.7%). This is the first time since data has been collected (1997) in which a greater proportion of RNs held a Bachelor’s or higher than did not. Marion County had the highest percent of RNs with a Bachelor’s degree or higher (65.1%). Since 1997 the total number of actively practicing Indiana RNs has increased from 38,721 to 53,135 in 2013. From 2005 to 2013 the number of RNs working in a nursing faculty position has increased from 733 to 1,114. There were 49,033.6 total RN FTEs and 2,723.8 APN FTEs in Indiana in 2013. Statewide, there was an average of 122 Indiana residents per RN FTE and 2,380 residents per APN FTE. Marion County had the highest number of RN and APN FTEs of any county.
