Academic–Correctional Health Partnerships: Preparing the Correctional Health Workforce for the Changing Landscape—Focus Group Research Results. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hale, Janet Fraser; Haley, Heather-Lyn; Jones, Judy L.; Brennan, Allyson; Brewer, Arthur
• Is Part Of: Journal of correctional health care. Volume 21:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: correctional health -- recruitment -- retention -- workforce development; Prisoners -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Prisoners -- Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 365.667
• DOI: 10.1177/1078345814558057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-3458

Abstract

Providing health care in corrections is challenging. Attracting clinicians can be equally challenging. The future holds a shortage of nurses and primary care physicians. We have a unique opportunity, now, to develop and stabilize our workforce, create a positive image, and enhance quality before the health care landscape changes even more dramatically. Focus groups were conducted with 22 correctional health care professionals divided into three groups: physicians (6), nurses (4), and nurse practitioners/physician assistants (12). Content focused on curricular themes, but additional themes emerged related to recruitment and retention. This article describes recruitment challenges, strategic themes identified, and the proposed initiatives to support a stable, high-quality correctional health workforce.