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Public Health Workforce Gaps, Impacts, and Improvement Strategies from COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Chelsey Kirkland

    (Center for Public Health Systems, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Kari Oldfield-Tabbert

    (Local Public Health Association of MN, Saint Paul, MN 55103, USA)

  • Harshada Karnik

    (Center for Public Health Systems, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Jason Orr

    (Center for Public Health Systems, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Skky Martin

    (Center for Public Health Systems, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

  • Jonathon P. Leider

    (Center for Public Health Systems, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA)

Abstract

The public health workforce has been instrumental in protecting residents against population health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the public health workforce and exposed gaps in the workforce. Public health practitioners nationwide are still coming to understand these gaps, impacts, and lessons learned from the pandemic. This study aimed to explore Minnesota’s local public health practitioners’ perceptions of public health workforce gaps, the impacts of these workforce gaps, and the lessons learned in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted seven concurrent focus groups with members of the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota (LPHA; n = 55) using a semi-structured focus group guide and a survey of the local agencies ( n = 70/72 respondents, 97% response rate). Focus group recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding (in vivo coding, descriptive coding), followed by thematic analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive analyses and were integrated with the qualitative data. Participants indicated experiencing many workforce gaps, workforce gaps impacts, and described improvement strategies. Overall, many of the workforce gaps and impacts resulting from COVID-19 discussed by practitioners in Minnesota are observed in other areas across the nation, making the findings relevant to public health workforce nationally.

Suggested Citation

  • Chelsey Kirkland & Kari Oldfield-Tabbert & Harshada Karnik & Jason Orr & Skky Martin & Jonathon P. Leider, 2022. "Public Health Workforce Gaps, Impacts, and Improvement Strategies from COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:20:p:13084-:d:939531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catherine Cosgrave, 2020. "The Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework: A Guide for Addressing Health Workforce Challenges in the Rural Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Leider, J.P. & Harper, E. & Shon, J.W. & Sellers, K. & Castrucci, B.C., 2016. "Job satisfaction and expected turnover among federal, state, and local public health practitioners," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(10), pages 1782-1788.
    3. Kahler W. Stone & Kristina W. Kintziger & Meredith A. Jagger & Jennifer A. Horney, 2021. "Public Health Workforce Burnout in the COVID-19 Response in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
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