It’s widely known that across the United States, our communities face a health epidemic of chronic disease; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60% of adults have one chronic disease, with 40% facing two or more. This epidemic, which impacts longevity, quality of life and the cost of healthcare, demands leadership and learning to help identify and deliver the care our communities deserve.
Working toward improving the health of our communities requires continually rethinking how we can best serve patients. We should challenge ourselves and the industry to answer the following questions:
- How can healthcare teams elevate clinicians at all levels, empowering them to serve patients at the top of their licenses and/or credentials?
- How can employers commit to hiring and developing diverse individuals to fill front-line roles, caring for patients in the way they want and need?
- How can educators bring innovative methods to the classroom, preparing students to graduate with the skills needed to enter the workforce, ready to collaborate and work in patient-centered teams?
In this third edition of National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) access™: an allied health industry journal, our goal is to bring light to challenges and opportunities where allied health professionals can make an impact. With the rise in chronic conditions and an aging population, the demand for and skills required of certified allied health professionals will only continue to increase.
From improving interpersonal communication to enhancing training and increasing understanding of different cultures, we are pleased to provide you with actionable information that will help you continually elevate the work you do to improve the health of your communities.
Sincerely,
Jessica Langley, MS, B.S.R.T. (R) (CT)
Executive Director of Education & Advocacy
