Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Kentucky’S Primary Care Workforce: Current Status And Output Of New Trainees January 2020 Update, Kevin A. Pearce, Sydney P. Thompson, Frances J. Feltner

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

Primary care is the backbone of American healthcare. Primary care (PC) physicians are especially cost-effective in preventing and managing illness and disability, and prolonging years of quality life. They also contribute significantly to the economy of their communities. Primary care shortages across the Commonwealth are severe. Kentucky ranks 43^rd in the USA for its number of PC physicians per 100,000 people. The Commonwealth would have to add 246 primary care physicians annually to reach the US median by the end of 2029. Kentucky produces and retains only about 55 new PC physicians per year, recruiting 55 to 60 more …

2018 Kentucky Dental Workforce Update, Sydney P. Thompson, Melissa Slone, Frances J. Feltner

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

The perception that oral health is in some way less important than and separate from general health has been deeply ingrained in the American consciousness. Many Americans are unaware of ways to preserve oral health and may not recognize signs indicating they are in trouble. Poor oral health can contribute to various diseases including endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Kentuckians often fair worse on a multitude of health measures, especially rural Kentuckians. According to the 2019 County Health Rankings data, when compared to US averages, Kentuckians are more likely to smoke (18% vs 23%), be obese …

Uk Cerh Social Work Programs: History & Employment Outlook, Jessica Williamson, Dana Hays, Melissa Slone, Frances J. Feltner

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

The University of Kentucky (UK) began to offer off-campus programs to the Commonwealth in 1975 under Ronda Connaway, the second dean of the College of Social Professions (COSP)—which became the College of Social Work (COSW) in 1980 (UK COSW, 2016). Dean Connaway’s vision was to expand the program to provide advance-degreed social workers based on student, employer and community demand (College History, 2016).

Identifying Family Resource And Youth Services Employees Preparedness For Job Responsibilities And Service Offerings In Kentucky, Melissa Slone, Frances J. Feltner, Sydney P. Thompson

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC) coordinators help at-risk students and their families obtain access to the necessary resources to overcome obstacles that affect their ability to learn. Although mandated to provide certain services, each FRYSC coordinator is also able to identify the unique needs of their student population and tailor some services specifically to the children and families in their school community. The current study looks at the educational levels, experience on the job and feelings of preparedness for their positions. Additionally, FRYSC coordinators were asked to provide insight as to which factors influence their job success.

Kentucky’S Primary Care Workforce Shortages 2016 - 2025 And Recommendations For Increasing The Production Of Primary Care Physicians For Kentucky, Kevin A. Pearce, Carol Hustedde, Linda M. Asher, Sydney P. Thompson, Frances J. Feltner, Katherine Mckinney

Center of Excellence in Rural Health Workforce Reports

An excerpt from the executive summary:

Kentucky and the nation face severe shortages of primary care (PC) physicians. PC physicians are essential to cost-effective healthcare. Kentucky ranks 40^th among the United States in its PC physician workforce per 100,000 people, with 2,696 practicing PC physicians statewide.

The purposes of this white paper are to:

1. Present up-to-date data and information about the primary care workforce in Kentucky
2. Describe current trainee pipelines that supply new primary care physicians to Kentucky
3. Recommend strategies and tactics for improving the primary care physician workforce