Professional Association Studies
The Mullan Institute contracts with health profession associations to conduct research on specific issues of concern to their membership. To date, studies have been conducted in the areas of social work, hematology, psychology, osteopathic medicine, emergency medicine, and palliative care. The following is a list of current studies.
Study of the Social work workforce
Social workers play a significant role in providing social services to populations in need impacting on their health and well-being. As one of the largest professions in the health and social services sectors, social workers work in a wide range of settings from schools, to child welfare agencies to hospitals to mental health agencies. Yet despite the size of the profession and its contribution to society, our knowledge of the social work workforce is remarkably limited.
In recognition of the need for and importance of better data, in 2017 organizations representing the social work profession led by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), came together to form the National Workforce Initiative Steering Committee to initiate and guide this study of the social work workforce. Following a competitive process, the Mullan Institute was selected to conduct the study. The goals of the study include:
A major component of the study is a survey of a sample of graduates of social work degree programs. This survey was conducted in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The survey includes questions on demographic and educational background, jobs being entered by new social workers, their experience in the job market and their satisfaction with the profession. An annual report presents key findings from the survey. In addition, a series of briefs have been published including on variations by type of education, variations by race/ethnicity, demand for new social workers by a variety of factors and an analysis of social workers providing behavioral health and substance abuse services. Individual program level reports comparing respondents from an individual school to other new social workers was prepared for more than 25 social work programs.
A final report on the 2019 survey with recommendations for ongoing data collection on the social work workforce will be completed in the fall of 2019.
In recognition of the need for and importance of better data, in 2017 organizations representing the social work profession led by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), came together to form the National Workforce Initiative Steering Committee to initiate and guide this study of the social work workforce. Following a competitive process, the Mullan Institute was selected to conduct the study. The goals of the study include:
- informing the social work community about the supply, demand, distribution, and use of social workers
- developing a plan for ongoing data collection and analysis.
A major component of the study is a survey of a sample of graduates of social work degree programs. This survey was conducted in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The survey includes questions on demographic and educational background, jobs being entered by new social workers, their experience in the job market and their satisfaction with the profession. An annual report presents key findings from the survey. In addition, a series of briefs have been published including on variations by type of education, variations by race/ethnicity, demand for new social workers by a variety of factors and an analysis of social workers providing behavioral health and substance abuse services. Individual program level reports comparing respondents from an individual school to other new social workers was prepared for more than 25 social work programs.
A final report on the 2019 survey with recommendations for ongoing data collection on the social work workforce will be completed in the fall of 2019.
Funder: Council on Social Work Education
Institute Member: Edward Salsberg, Leo Quigley , Chelsea Richwine
Institute Member: Edward Salsberg, Leo Quigley , Chelsea Richwine
Study of the Supply, Demand, and Use of Emergency Physicians
Background
Over the past 30+ years, the number of physicians training in accredited emergency medicine residency programs has steadily increased. In the past 10 years alone, the number of residents entering ACGME accredited emergency medicine programs increased from 1,568 (AY 2008-09) to 2,412 (AY 2017-18), an increase of 54%. After 30 years of growth in residency training positions, the overall supply of formally trained emergency medicine (EM) physicians has risen significantly. This has helped staff the nation’s emergency departments (EDs) as the population has grown and the use of the emergency department has risen.
With the sharp growth in both the supply of EM physicians and the numbers being trained annually, concerns are beginning to emerge regarding the possibility of a surplus of EM physicians in the future. In addition, the increasing supply of PAs and NPs, the development and expanded use of telemedicine, the implementation of programs designed to discourage hospital and ED use, and changes in financing and organization of services add to this concern.
The Mullan Institute was selected by the American college of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to undertake a 2-year study of the factors driving the supply, demand and use of emergency medicine physicians and to assess whether the future supply will be in balance with the likely demand for emergency physicians.
Over the past 30+ years, the number of physicians training in accredited emergency medicine residency programs has steadily increased. In the past 10 years alone, the number of residents entering ACGME accredited emergency medicine programs increased from 1,568 (AY 2008-09) to 2,412 (AY 2017-18), an increase of 54%. After 30 years of growth in residency training positions, the overall supply of formally trained emergency medicine (EM) physicians has risen significantly. This has helped staff the nation’s emergency departments (EDs) as the population has grown and the use of the emergency department has risen.
With the sharp growth in both the supply of EM physicians and the numbers being trained annually, concerns are beginning to emerge regarding the possibility of a surplus of EM physicians in the future. In addition, the increasing supply of PAs and NPs, the development and expanded use of telemedicine, the implementation of programs designed to discourage hospital and ED use, and changes in financing and organization of services add to this concern.
The Mullan Institute was selected by the American college of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to undertake a 2-year study of the factors driving the supply, demand and use of emergency medicine physicians and to assess whether the future supply will be in balance with the likely demand for emergency physicians.
Methodology
- A review of literature;
- A review of existing sources of data on supply, such as from the ACGME, NRMP, and AMA data, and data on demand/use, such as from HCUP and NHAMCS surveys;
- Analysis of Medicare Public Use Files for ED claims data;
- A Survey of physicians completing EM training in 2019; and
- Focus groups and interviews.
Deliverables
- Report on Survey of Physicians Completing Emergency Medicine Training in 2019;
- Report on Analysis of Medicare Public Use File; and
- A final report projecting supply and demand for EM physicians.
Funder: American College of Emergency Physicians
Institute Member: Edward Salsberg, Clese Erikson, Leo Quigley
Institute Member: Edward Salsberg, Clese Erikson, Leo Quigley
workforce study of hematology physicians
The purpose of this study is to describe the trends impacting the current hematology physician workforce, with a particular focus on identifying those practicing benign hematology. Using surveys and focus groups, GW will:
Funder: The American Society of Hematologists
HWI Members: Clese Erikson, Leah Masselink, Edward Salsberg, Emily Bass
- Examine specialty choice and career influences that lead hematology/oncology fellows to pursue a career in hematology and how interest in a career in hematology changes over time.
- Assess the current job market for new hematologists.
- Identify key factors likely to impact future supply and demand for hematologists.
Funder: The American Society of Hematologists
HWI Members: Clese Erikson, Leah Masselink, Edward Salsberg, Emily Bass