Using Collaboration to Address Health Professions Workforce Shortages

Colorado's Health Professions Workforce Collaborative has engaged over 150 members in a three year process to identify directions for policy recommendations, compile data on the extent of shortages within specific professions and create a public policy agenda. Funded by The Colorado Trust, this Collaborative employed a facilitated shared learning process that engaged multiple government agencies, professional organizations, health service providers, education institutions and advocacy groups. In addition, representatives from the Governor's Office, foundations and key legislators participated in the Collaborative meetings. The planning process was organized around three phases and also incorporated two statewide Health Professions Workforce Summits to increase awareness and the base of support for specific policy agenda items. A key element in the agenda setting process was data that modeled the extent of projected shortages among various health professions. This unique approach has served to heighten awareness of critical workforce shortages that need to be addressed while garnering support around a multi-sector, consensus-driven set of strategies. Specific public policy strategies successfully developed by the Collaborative include improved workforce data collection, reimbursement reforms, loan repayment consolidation and education funding options. The cumulative results of this Collaborative planning process underscore the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders in practical solutions to ensure a sufficient, well-trained and equitably distributed health professions workforce for the state of Colorado. Future directions for the Workforce Collaborative will be outlined and the anticipated impact of the Collaborative in addressing workforce development efforts will be detailed.