Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce (GBHCW) Market Research Report

Background

Overview

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce (GBHCW), formerly known as the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce, is a state agency dedicated to identifying and addressing healthcare workforce needs in Georgia, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities. Established in 1976 as the Joint Board of Family Practice, the organization underwent several name changes, reflecting its evolving mission:

1999: Renamed the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce.

2011: Assumed the responsibilities of the State Medical Education Board.

2016: Expanded to include loan repayment programs for dentists.

2017: Extended programs to encompass physician assistants (PAs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

2019: Adopted the current name to reflect its broader scope across various healthcare professions.

The GBHCW operates under the Georgia Department of Community Health, focusing on enhancing access to healthcare providers in medically underserved areas to improve the health and well-being of Georgia's citizens.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To identify and address healthcare workforce needs in Georgia, emphasizing underserved communities.

Vision: To ensure that Georgia communities, especially those in medically underserved areas, have improved access to necessary physicians and other healthcare practitioners, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of Georgia's citizens.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Medical Education Support: Provide funding for medical education programs, including schools and residencies, to develop a robust healthcare workforce.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Produce comprehensive reports on the state's healthcare workforce to inform policy and planning.

Loan Repayment Programs: Administer service-cancelable loan repayment programs to attract and retain healthcare professionals in underserved areas.

Practice Assistance: Assist residents and physicians in finding suitable practice opportunities within Georgia.

Areas of Specialization

Medical Education: Supporting undergraduate and graduate medical education to ensure a steady supply of healthcare professionals.

Loan Repayment Programs: Offering financial incentives to healthcare providers who commit to practicing in underserved regions.

Workforce Data Analysis: Collecting and analyzing data to monitor the distribution and needs of healthcare providers across the state.

Key Technologies Utilized

Data Visualization Tools: Developing interactive dashboards to display healthcare workforce data, aiding in strategic planning and decision-making.

Primary Markets Targeted

Underserved Communities: Focusing on rural and underserved urban areas in Georgia to improve access to healthcare services.

Healthcare Professionals: Engaging with physicians, dentists, PAs, and APRNs to support their practice in Georgia.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

The GBHCW operates with funding appropriated by the Georgia General Assembly, with allocations supporting various programs and administrative functions. Specific financial details, including total funds raised and recent funding rounds, are not publicly disclosed.

Utilization of Capital

Medical Education Grants: Providing financial support to medical schools and residency programs to enhance educational opportunities.

Loan Repayment Programs: Funding service-cancelable loan repayment programs to incentivize healthcare professionals to practice in underserved areas.

Data Collection and Analysis: Investing in tools and resources for comprehensive data collection and analysis to inform workforce planning.

Pipeline Development

Key Programs and Initiatives

Physicians for Rural Areas Program: Offers up to $25,000 annually in student loan repayment for physicians who commit to practicing in rural communities for at least one year.

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Expansion Grants: Provides grants to medical schools to expand residency programs, increasing the number of physicians trained in Georgia.

Target Conditions and Timelines

The GBHCW focuses on addressing physician shortages in rural and underserved urban areas across Georgia. While specific timelines for program outcomes vary, the board regularly publishes annual reports detailing progress and future plans.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Data Visualization Dashboards: Interactive tools that display healthcare workforce data, aiding in strategic planning and decision-making.

Significant Scientific Methods

Data Collection and Analysis: Utilizing comprehensive surveys and data collection methods to monitor the distribution and needs of healthcare providers across the state.

Leadership Team

Executive Director

Name: Chet Bhasin

Professional Background: Experienced in healthcare administration and policy, with a focus on workforce development.

Key Contributions: Overseeing the board's strategic initiatives and ensuring alignment with its mission to improve healthcare access in underserved areas.

Board Members

The GBHCW comprises a 15-member board, including physicians, hospital representatives, and consumer members, with a significant representation from rural areas. Board members are appointed to provide diverse perspectives on healthcare workforce needs and solutions.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

Georgia faces a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas. Efforts to expand medical education and incentivize practice in these regions are ongoing, with various organizations contributing to workforce development.

Competitor Analysis

Georgia Primary Care Association (GPCA): A member service organization representing health centers across Georgia, focusing on workforce development and recruitment.

Georgia Higher Education Healthcare Initiative (GAHEHI): An open-source project dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration in health policy, aiming to address healthcare workforce shortages in Georgia.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The GBHCW collaborates with medical schools, healthcare providers, and government agencies to enhance medical education and workforce development. Notably, the board has partnered with institutions like Mercer University to expand residency programs and address physician shortages.

Operational Insights

The GBHCW's focus on underserved communities differentiates it from other organizations by targeting areas with the most critical healthcare needs. Its comprehensive approach, including education support, loan repayment programs, and data analysis, positions it as a key player in addressing Georgia's healthcare workforce challenges.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

Expansion of Loan Repayment Programs: Increasing financial incentives to attract healthcare professionals to underserved areas.

Enhancement of Data Analytics: Improving data collection and analysis to better inform workforce planning and policy decisions.

Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborating with educational institutions and healthcare providers to expand residency programs and improve retention rates.

Future Business Directions

The GBHCW aims to continue its efforts in expanding the healthcare workforce in Georgia, focusing on increasing the number of physicians and other healthcare practitioners in underserved areas to meet the state's growing healthcare needs.