Projects and Publications

Health Professions Issue Briefs

In keeping with its broad mission to provide useful, timely information about California's health care workforce, the CWI has produced a series of health professions issue briefs. These briefs provide current workforce and educational data about a particular profession (or set of professions), and introduce related key issues and policy concerns. Specific topics addressed include: workforce supply, demand, distribution, and demographics; practice patterns; education and training; and regulation and certification.

Community Health Workers and Promotores in California
(Trabajadores Comunitarios de la Salud y Promotores en California)
This publication provides an overview of an emerging and unique workforce in California. Community health workers(CHWs) and promotores are public health professionals who carry out a variety of health promotion, case management, and service delivery activities at the community level. There is currently a growing attempt in the United States to reach the increasing number of immigrants and underserved populations through CHWs. This brief describes key challenges facing the profession.To download this brief (pdf) in English click here, or click here for a Spanish translation.

Medical Assistants in California
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health care practitioners who are trained to assist physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners with administrative and/or clinical duties in an ambulatory care setting; they are an integral part of any medical practice. Chronic shortages of these professionals have been documented. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics in California
California has fewer Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics per capita than the U.S. This publication discusses how already high turnover rates and an aging population will increase demand for these professionals. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Diagnostic Imaging Professionals in California
This publication provides an introduction to the diagnostic imaging professions, including a discussion of current critical challenges for these professions, and some potential solutions to address them. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Massage Therapists in California
This publication describes key policy challenges facing the massage therapy profession in California. Although their integration into traditional health care appears to be increasing, little is known about this workforce. Current public policy does not recognize massage therapy as a health-related profession, but national changes could indicate directions for reform. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Respiratory Care Practitioners in California
This publication provides an introduction to the respiratory care profession, including a discussion of current critical challenges within the profession, and some potential solutions to address them. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

The Clinical Laboratory Workforce in California
This publication provides an introduction to the clinical laboratory science professions, including a discussion of current critical workforce shortages in these professions, and some initiatives in the state to address them. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Chiropractic Care in California
This publication presents a snapshot of one of the state's largest health professions and issues concerning its current and future role in care delivery. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Health Care Interpreters in California
One out of every five Californians - over six million people - do not speak English well and would benefit from the services of health care interpreters. "Health Care Interpreters in California" offers a look at a small but growing professional workforce that is trying to meet California's multi-lingual needs. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Acupuncture in California
Licensed Acupuncturists in California make up a large and growing health care workforce. About 6000 in number, they provide primary and complementary care to many Californians. Acupuncture in California offers a snapshot of the profession: how acupuncturists are educated, trained and regulated, where they practice, and what the future might hold. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Pharmacy Technicians in California: Snapshot of an Emerging Profession
This issue brief looked at the pharmacy technician profession in California as it has emerged over a ten year period to relieve some of the task demands created by changing roles of pharmacists in patient care. As the technician profession has grown, it has also addressed workforce development factors including education and licensure in instructive and replicable ways. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Pharmacy Staffing: A Silent but Critical Concern
This issue brief looked at the critical workforce dynamics facing pharmacists in California. Information about national trends, special problems of rural areas, and gender differences in pharmacist work patterns were also included. To download this brief (pdf) click here.

Production of these publications was funded by the California HealthCare Foundation and The California Endowment.

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