Building an Effective Pipeline into Health Care Professions
German Nunez, PhD , Yolanda Gonzaga, MBA, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Presented at the Lubock Conference
The past decade bears witness to a dramatic shift in the demographics of the United States (U.S.) population. The diversity of our nation, with a combined shortage of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in the healthcare professions, presents a significant challenge for academic performance. Enhancing the healthcare professions and developing providers into the diverse healthcare workforce is critical. Exposing students at a young age to healthcare educational experiences is key to building a strong educational pipeline from elementary school to higher education and into professional careers.
In order to develop a strong, continuous and leak free pipeline it is best to divide it into segments according to the structure of the school system; typically, elementary school, middle school, high school, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate and professional components.
Parents, teachers, school officials and community must be present at each of the segments of the pipeline; with roles that are clearly assigned and responsible for measurable outcomes.
The pipeline programs must be coherent, continuous, consistent and developmental through the length of the pipeline.
Many are the challenges to maintaining a pipeline that is free of “leaks” along its longitude. Among them, the lack of role models at home and in the community, limited economic resources, constant mobility of migrant workers, and lack of knowledge about available resources and financial aid, and language barriers to success.
Programs that extend from elementary school through undergraduate experiences (K-16+) as well as students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds will help enhance students’ awareness and interests in healthcare professions. These objectives will play a critical role and paramount significance in developing and implementing an integrated, longitudinal course that will make strides in paving the way for a diverse healthcare workforce.
Objectives:
- Understand why “leaks” occur in the pipeline.
- Understand the hurdles at different stages of the pipeline.
- Understand and find available financial aid resources.