The United States is currently experiencing a decline of skilled talent in the workforce, with healthcare occupations suffering the most due to a loss in workforce talent and the onset of an aging population. This talent shortage is attributed to a "skills gap." The current case study used qualitative methodology to examine the expansion…

Introduction: There is an increasing need for occupational therapists with the skills to provide low vision services, however, there is a lack of standardized training of low vision occupational therapy services. The purpose of this study is to design and evaluate a course for occupational therapy students to improve their skills and knowledge…

Fieldwork education is a vital component of occupational therapy education. Academic fieldwork coordinators face a shortage of qualified occupational therapists who are prepared to be fieldwork educators. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online learning module developed to prepare occupational therapists to become fieldwork…

Results are provided from a review of the Health Occupations Education curriculum in New York State to ensure that the skills and attitudes taught in those programs continue to adhere to the emerging demands of the health industry. Introductory materials include summaries of the recommendations and the major background variables influencing the…

This report discusses a working group convened in Varna, Bulgaria, by the World Health Organization to examine trends, issues, and problems regarding assessment of health professional competence and to prepare guidance to improve existing arrangements. Following a summary of the proceedings, the main portion of the paper reports main findings and…

This final report presents five products of a health occupations project conducted (1) to update health occupations data, (2) to field test a performance-based curriculum in secondary programs, and (3) to develop materials (domain-referenced tests) to predetermine student and/or job incumbent competencies prior to entrance into a developed…

Developed through synthesis and review of existing task analysis literature, this guide lists tasks expected to be performed by workers in ten health occupations and presents information for incorporating these tasks into articulated secondary and postsecondary competency based educational programs. Task listings are presented for the following…

To ensure that the new physical therapist assistant (PTA) curriculum at Allegany Community College (Maryland) met current professional needs, a survey was undertaken of establishments likely to employ PTAs. An employer needs questionnaire was returned by 272 establishments (of 1,250 surveyed). Findings indicated that more than half of the…

This brief gives an overview of the topic of workplace literacy in the health care industry and lists program contacts. The following 35 organizations operate basic skills upgrading programs for health care workers: American Hospital Association; Chinese American Civic Association; Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training; BostonWorks;…

To develop a high school practical nursing curriculum, a survey was made of six hospitals, four nursing homes, and one public health agency to investigate current and expected content of the occupation and to determine attributes and personal characteristics employers look for in practical nurses. Analysis of data revealed that employers assess…

A University of New Mexico pharmacy clerkship in Indian Health Service rural ambulatory clinics is described and its results compared with an urban hospital clerkship. Unique benefits to participants included improved skills in patient counseling and chart screening, more hands-on experience, extensive individual physician consultations, and…

In 1990, a survey was conducted by William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the continuing education needs of dietetic technicians in the Chicago area. The survey was mailed to 844 dietetic technicians, requesting information on their awareness of and interest in WRHC's continuing education offerings in their field. Major findings of the…

A feasibility study was aimed at developing a strategy for implementing and utilizing the job analysis methodology which resulted from the Health Services Mobility Study (HSMS), particularly as it can be applied to the field of diagnostic radiology. (The HSMS method of job analysis starts with task descriptions analyzing the tasks that make up a…

To meet growing health care industry manpower needs, colleges and universities are revamping their curricula, but are still turning down many students. Few black institutions offer health occupations programs, and adding new ones is financially difficult. Adjusting competency and licensing requirements to meet new needs is also difficult when…

This program guide identifies primary considerations in the organization, operation, and evaluation of a paramedic program. An occupational description and program content are presented. A curriculum framework specifies the exact course title, course number, levels of instruction, major course content, laboratory activities, special notes, major…