Date of Award
December 2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Foundations & Research
First Advisor
Robert Stupnisky
Abstract
Background. The need for behavioral health services in North Dakota has grown in recent years. As part of the response to the need for services, a state definition of behavioral health workforce was enacted in state statute to assist in addressing this need. Thus far, no empirical evaluations of the status of that workforce have been conducted.Purpose. The primary purpose of this work was to quantify the supply and demand for the behavioral health workforce in North Dakota to assist in identifying and prioritizing those educational pathways that can assist in growing the identified needed workforce. Sample. This study examined all currently licensed behavioral health workforce professionals in North Dakota as well as the current and projected population. Method. Data collected was analyzed for the number and type of behavioral health professionals. Population-to-provider ratios were determined for the existing population and a cohort component projected population. A chi-square analysis was conducted to determine the differences between the current workforce and the projected workforce demand. Results. Of the 20 occupation levels examined, six did not meet the proposed population-to-provider ratio of 6,000:1 when examined as part of a supply-based approach. When examined from a demand-based approach utilizing a 10-year population projection, those same six occupations remained below the population-to-provider threshold with a widening gap, demonstrating increased need due to increasing population. A fixed inflation coefficient, based on prevalence of unmet need, was utilized to artificially inflate the base population for the needs-based approach. This last approach resulted in a seventh occupation falling below the threshold and all population-to-provider ratios demonstrating an even further gap than the demand-based approach. Implications. The ability to identify behavioral health workforce occupations that are most in need can identify academic programs to prioritize to develop new professionals. This can assist stakeholders and policymakers in developing additional resources that support educational pathways to practice in areas of the behavioral health workforce. Each of the models presented here provide an opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to begin the prioritization process.
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Mandi-Leigh, "Behavioral Health Workforce Modeling To Assist In Prioritizing Educational Pathways Programs In North Dakota" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 6560.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/6560