Assessing the Workforce Needs of Patient Centered Medical Homes in North Carolina

This group of leaders will draw on the nationally recognized health workforce data, the analytic capabilities of the North Carolina Health Professions Data System (HPDS) and the expertise of health workforce researchers and policy experts from the University of North Carolina’s Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research to: 1. assess the range, number and activities of professionals needed to staff the full scope of services coordinated by patient centered medical homes (PCMHs); 2. draw together actionable information on the State’s current workforce size, adequacy, growth trends and future needs for health professionals serving on the patient centered medical home team; 3. assess the adequacy of the number of extant training positions, as well as the workforce development needs of the workforce already practicing in PCMHs; 4. identify which health care services, such as patient education and case management, might be undertaken by disciplines with various skill mixes; 5. Assess the potential for new roles-such as the community health worker-that would enhance the functioning of the patient centered medical home in NC.

Principal Investigator: Erin Fraher, Ph.D.

Funding: North Carolina Dept of Commerce via HRSA

Total Project Period: 11/18/2010 – 09/29/2012