Learning Objectives– Identify contributions of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) clinicians to medically underserved communities over the last 20 years, and understand programmatic, individual, and environmental factors associated with such contributions. Abstract text– Over the last 20 years, NHSC scholarship and loan repayment programs have recruited thousands of health professionals to care for vulnerable populations in community health centers (CHCs) and disadvantaged communities. NHSC personnel have also expanded and initiated services and provided leadership at their host sites and communities. The NHSC identified 1,418 health professionals–physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives–serving in 1998 (CURRENT) and 10,616 serving between 1980 and 1997 (ALUMNI). Survey data from stratified samples of 853 CURRENT (75% response) and 1,205 ALUMNI (59% response) revealed that: NHSC clinicians reached new patient populations (CURRENT: 49%; ALUMNI: 45%); increased the array of services to existing patient populations (CURRENT: 68%; ALUMNI: 64%); brought previously unavailable types of services to the host site (CURRENT: 40%; ALUMNI: 47%); introduced new service programs (CURRENT: 41%; ALUMNI: 45) and provided leadership (CURRENT: 35%; ALUMNI: 49%). Multivariate analyses suggest that NHSC contributions are more likely in rural communities and less likely in CHC settings. Clinicians who expand and initiate services are more likely to express attitudes consistent with NHSC’s mission, and are slightly older and better paid than their peers who make fewer contributions. More targeted recruitment of health professionals with certain characteristics and ongoing monitoring, recognition and rewarding of NHSC clinicians’ contributions to their local communities is recommended.
Learning Objectives: Identify contributions of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) clinicians to medically underserved communities over the last 20 years, and understand programmatic, individual, and environmental factors associated with such contributions
Keywords: Access and Services, Community-Oriented Primary Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: HRSA, NHSC
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.