Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
September 5, 2021
Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market.
Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.
We spoke to professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the job market for recent graduates is heading, as well as how young graduates entering the industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our Panel of Experts
Benedictine University
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Eastern Virginia Medical School
CoARC - Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Kent State University
Montclair State University
University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of New Haven
Idaho State University
Kennesaw State University
Frontier Nursing University
Limestone University
College of Saint Scholastica
Harding University
Hawai'i Pacific University
Bonnie Beezhold Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorBenedictine University
Nutrition Department
What skills stand out on Health Specialist resumes?
Bonnie Beezhold Ph.D.: Like other fields, possessing excellent writing and oral skills in health and wellness is critical to effectively convey health information to audiences. Those skills appear to be waning even among graduate students. Recognizing low competency and getting remedial help with language mechanics should be a top priority.
Also, taking the time and effort to get to know your audience profile before engaging with them ensures that you are writing and speaking at their level of understanding and readiness to hear you. Tailoring information to audiences when planning to deliver health education or health promotion is a critical necessity - we cannot assume that everyone who would benefit from hearing the health or wellness information we want to provide can understand it or are even interested.
Perhaps more critical today is recognizing and combating the formidable power of health misinformation to sabotage the health and well-being of the public and, conversely, provide credible, evidence-based information. Clearly, if the vast majority of our population had consistently accessed factual news and information based on sound scientific principles about the nature and spread of the virus and the necessity of public health guidelines, no matter how imperfectly guidelines evolved, we would likely be living in a scenario of recovery from the pandemic rather than continuing to watch case numbers and deaths rise across the country with a more contagious variant.
As increasingly reported, misinformation spreads much more quickly than factual information. A study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and published in the prestigious Science journal compared the diffusion of verified true and false news articles that appeared on Twitter from 2006 through 2017 (Vosoughi, Roy, Aral, 2018). They found that false articles diffused significantly 'farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than factual articles in all information categories. The reason? Researchers concluded that false information was more novel and engaged more emotional reactions like fear, disgust, and surprise than factual information. Thus it was more likely shared with friends and family. Unfortunately, those who disseminate misinformation for whatever reason are increasing, and there are currently no regulations that require news and information to be fact-checked and truthful. Health and wellness experts then have a responsibility to recommend therapies with evidence of efficacy and safety, disseminate accurate information from responsible government, education, and health organizational sites, and provide guidelines to help the public discern what health resources provide accurate information.
The consequences of not tackling health misinformation can obviously have grim consequences. We have all watched as misinformation on vaccination has negatively impacted the country's response to the pandemic. It is a fact that vaccination is one of the great modern triumphs against serious widespread infectious disease, along with antibiotics and proper hygiene. But misinformation and disinformation in social media as well as in certain national media websites and broadcasts has cast doubt on vaccine efficacy and safety and has politicized public health guidelines, leading to a substantial proportion of the population refusing vaccination rather than viewing it as a most fortunate solution and moving towards herd immunity. Even before the pandemic, misinformation about vaccines, in general, had been rising, and infectious diseases formerly conquered, like measles, began to reappear and put children at risk.
Another important skill I would mention that health and wellness graduates should cultivate is an ability to forge caring relationships with individuals or groups based on trust and ethics to inspire confidence in their expertise. It is important to realize that one's ability to reach and persuade people they want to help is largely dependent on whether those people respect and trust them. Health and wellness experts should be involved in their community and demonstrate empathy and concern beyond merely providing credible health and wellness information from reputable resources.
What type of skills will young Health Specialists need?
Karla Castillo: As graduates in a Health Science program with a concentration in either Health Care Management or Community Health, students will need to have skills in dealing with a pandemic, no matter the health care they will go into. All my students have been able to intern due to the epidemic, whether physically or virtually. They have learned technical skills that wouldn't have commonly been used without the pandemic. One being learning technology software that pertains to meeting almost or creating workshops virtually. Another gift I can think of is time management. My students learned a lot of time management, having now gone through virtual learning for almost an entire academic year. They have balanced working with online education, where many didn't have any experience with online teaching modalities.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Karla Castillo: Yes, my students have very diverse work opportunities that they may apply to. It can range from the Department of Public Health, Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Community Clinics, and even private practice. Our program requires an internship before they graduate so that they have a greater chance to get hired with experience on their resume!
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Karla Castillo: Technology is moving us today! As of February, when the pandemic started to affect us in academia, we noticed our partners began to go virtual as well. My students have learned a lot about technology in their courses and during the internship. We only know that moving forward, this will continue and become part of health care! One prime example is Telemedicine, where patients can obtain medical services through a virtual call! It's an exciting time with health care and technology playing an important role, and it will continue to grow with the years to come.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.: Public health is a general term that includes so many diverse occupations. In the School of Health Professions - Master of Public Health program, traditional public health nonclinical and clinical professionals include epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and research assistants. Nontraditional public health professionals include nurses, medical and health services managers, physicians and surgeons, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, radiologic technologists, pharmacists, and emergency management directors. As a result of the pandemic and the need to perform contact tracing, there is a significant need for case investigators, contact tracers, data managers, and health analytics specialists/managers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Health Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.: Data analytics, data science, machine learning of large databases will continue to be crucial in the next 3-5 years.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Robert Campbell Ph.D.: Increases in order are expected to select public health careers. MPs are not the sole public health professionals necessary to mitigate the effect of the current COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics. The capacity of training institutions determines the increase in graduates. Despite the increased need for physicians, physician assistants, and nurses, the demand to train is limited by training clinical facilities, especially for physicians, physician assistants, and nurses.
Reference
Elka Torpey, "Essential work: Employment and outlook in occupations that protect and provide," Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2020.
What type of skills will young Health Specialists need?
Pat Munzer: The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) realizes that due to the increased risk of potential exposure to COVID patients, several clinical sites were (and still are) preventing students from working directly with COVID-19 patients and also in the ER or prohibiting students from attending their clinical site entirely - this has adversely affected the student's ability to complete their clinical in a timely fashion and, in some cases, delayed graduation. CoARC recognized that its programs needed to employ different approaches and strategies that may be influenced by individual, institutional policies and procedures, local, state, and federal regulations. CoARC reminded its programs of their responsibility to demonstrate that their blend of in-person, simulation and telehealth clinical experiences adequately prepare students for entry into practice.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Pat Munzer: While the disruptions to education impacted all students in areas significantly affected by COVID-19, by in large, the students that were prepared to graduate this past May/June had already completed most of their training. Anecdotally, we have not heard any adverse consequences of this disruption on program graduates this Spring/Summer. We really won't know for sure the impact on these students, quantitatively speaking, until we collect and analyze the program outcomes from this year. That is not scheduled to occur until July 2021. Perhaps of more significant concern are the students expected to graduate in May 2021. These students will have had to experience disruptions and challenges in their education for most of their training.
What experience really stands out on Health Specialist resumes?
Dr. Mark Hardy: Good question with multiple answers. Everyone has a science background. National exams and GPA only tell a small piece about the person. I like to see a well-rounded individual - experiences that have molded their work ethic, customer service skills, work with diverse populations, and that they were part of a team. I am intrigued by applicants who have a lot of coursework in non-science fields.
What Health Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Hardy: My suggestion to someone considering taking a gap year - do so only if you need the extra time to confirm or define what you want to do or become. And, take after high school, not after obtaining your undergraduate degree.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Health Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Mark Hardy: Another good question that changes annually. Currently, I see growth in regenerative medicine. This is a discipline that allows us to harness the body's natural ability to heal itself. We now use platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, and stem cells for various musculoskeletal conditions. Research continues to evolve, and we are close to treating many musculoskeletal conditions without surgery. This is a space that has enormous potential.
Romayne Eaker-Kelly
Director of Campus Recreation and Health PromotionMontclair State University
Department of Recreation and Health Promotion
What type of skills will young Health Specialists need?
Romayne Eaker-Kelly: I believe it is essential for graduates to have excellent writing and communication skills; they will need to understand how to communicate a significant amount of information and understand how to deliver that information with customer service and a strong positive and enthusiastic manner.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Romayne Eaker-Kelly: Urban Cities, I would think, would have more available career opportunities in this field. New York City and Washington DC as well.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Romayne Eaker-Kelly: Faster results are analyzing and time-saving research. The authenticity of information reduced human error. Artificial Intelligence will be a significant game-changer for the legal industry.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Deborah Riebe Ph.D.: It will be interesting to see an increased focus on health promotion/disease prevention following the pandemic. Studies already demonstrate that lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking, for example, increase the risk of severe Covid-19 infection. An increased focus on wellness would provide employment opportunities for dieticians, exercise physiologists, behavior change counselors, and other health and wellness professionals. For years, we have known that unhealthy lifestyle habits contribute to chronic disease; the pandemic may finally bring this issue to the forefront.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Health Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Deborah Riebe Ph.D.: The pandemic has made us realize that many things can be done remotely in our daily lives. Telehealth is here to stay and will likely grow over the coming years. While there will still be a need for face-to-face appointments, many medical meetings and counseling sessions can be effectively completed remotely. Online individual and group exercise sessions are becoming more common and help those with time constraints or who prefer to exercise at home rather than in a fitness center. Technology that connects health and wellness professionals, easier for individuals with poor technical skills or physical challenges such as poor eyesight, is essential.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Deborah Riebe Ph.D.: The pandemic may bring a renewed focus on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. We have known for a long time that poor lifestyle choices contribute to chronic disease. We now know that unhealthy lifestyle practices are tied to poorer Covid-19 outcomes. While our healthcare system has traditionally focused on illness, I am hopeful that we turn our attention to health promotion/disease prevention through a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to public health professionals, a renewed focus on health and wellness would increase the demand for behavior change counselors, exercise physiologists, nutritionists and registered dieticians, and wellness communication specialists. Health and wellness professionals can and should play a role in non-traditional settings. Imagine a city planning board that includes an exercise physiologist so that the importance of a focus on a walkable and bike-able community is not overlooked.
Dr. Molly Greaney Ph.D.
Chair of Health StudiesUniversity of Rhode Island
Department of Health Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Molly Greaney Ph.D.: I think the importance of physical and mental health is very much at the forefront now, and there will, hopefully, be increased efforts to promote health at the individual, community, state, and national levels. The pandemic has made it evident that public health in the United States has been underfunded for a long time. There also will be increased efforts to address inequities in housing, health care access, etc., that have contributed to the disparities in COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality in the US.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Health Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Molly Greaney Ph.D.: Remote working will continue post-pandemic, and our reliance on technology to facilitate working remotely and collaboratively will continue to increase. I think telehealth is here to stay, and its use will expand and be refined. I also believe that the service of apps for exercise and well-being and addressing social isolation will increase.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Molly Greaney Ph.D.: I think there will be an increased demand for health science graduates. The pandemic has brought the importance of public health and robust public health infrastructure to the forefront. It also has made evident the need to address health inequities, promote healthful behaviors, and the importance of prevention, including primary prevention.
Dr. Erika Austin
Associate Professor, Associate DeanUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
School of Public Health
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Erika Austin: Contact tracing and disease investigation, emergency preparedness.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Health Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Erika Austin: Ability to use existing software - many students are only familiar with apps and struggle to use regular computers.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Erika Austin: Dramatic increase.
What type of skills will young Health Specialists need?
Summer McGee Ph.D.: Graduates need to be agile and flexible to respond to the changing forces and trends in healthcare. They have to be professional problem solvers. Effective communication within and across teams is also crucial for success in complex, fast-moving healthcare organizations.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Summer McGee Ph.D.: Healthcare is rapidly growing in the South, West, and Southwest parts of the country.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Summer McGee Ph.D.: Graduates have to be tech- and data-savvy to succeed in today's healthcare administration world. The most important thing is to have strong analytical skills to analyze and visualize data to inform reporting and recommendations in their organizations. Healthcare organizations are awash in data that needs to be turned into meaningful information to allow the organization to respond to the times.
What experience really stands out on Health Specialist resumes?
Joshua Thompson: In my opinion, the best experiences that stand out on a resume are first, the internship, and second, any extra-curricular activities the student is involved in. Students can provide additional information during an interview from their experiences in an internship. Student involvement shows other initiatives and potential self-motivation, which are positives for any employer.
In the current environment we are in, having any understanding and experience in the field, even as someone who is in their first professional employment opportunity, and not just a desire but a propensity to not only show up but complete tasks to better themselves, will provide value to the organization, and in turn, potentially separate the new employee from their peers.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Joshua Thompson: Telehealth and telemedicine will continue to grow, and regulatory requirements will become less strict. We have had such technological advances that providing telehealth and telemedicine services can, and should, have a significant impact on the future of healthcare. We have indigent mental health programs in the U.S., and a few reasons for that are reimbursement for the services and the negative stigma that receiving mental health services has. Suppose providers can deliver their services through an approved technological process.
In that case, this can lower the costs associated with operating their business and allow more people in need to seek the help they need from the privacy of their own homes. By reducing the values of the provider, those smaller reimbursing services can generate a higher margin. This will bring more professionals to the field to provide services, removing the issue that there aren't enough providers to do the work. There is a better opportunity not to have as many missed appointments due to the increased privacy of receiving services in their home.
While that is only one answer, I believe that we are currently in and providers being forced to use technology in ways they had not had to prior. There will be a shift toward different technological delivery methods. Some can remove that initial fear of "can I provide good care" because they had to learn how to practice medicine and deliver care in a new manner. Change is hard and often negatively viewed; with Coronavirus making us look at different ways to provide healthcare through technology, change was forced on us. Some of those negative thoughts or notions might have also been changed.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Joshua Thompson: Without question! They have had to live through the change in how education was delivered and forced to be willing to adapt. They have had the opportunity to learn and think outside the box from what has historically been a rigid academic process. They have known how to have the courage to speak up since they could not hide in a classroom. They have had to learn technology and research and educate themselves, through online means, without someone showing them step by step.
If we are trying to look at Coronavirus in a positive light, these students have been forced to gain self-confidence and self-motivation. They can no longer "show you," but they have to participate in their education. I have personally seen an increase in critical thinking this year in my students, and while Coronavirus has had such a negative impact on our economy, our policies, and our lives; it has allowed many to change and adapt, and it is my opinion those are the ones who will stand above the crowd in the future.
Mari-Amanda Dyal
Assistant Professor of Public HealthKennesaw State University
Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Mari-Amanda Dyal: Not likely. This is our wheelhouse, and the field is very used to adaptation. We develop our students with flexibility in mind, so the pandemic has not been a deal-breaker for interns or graduates. It is yet another opportunity to think outside the box and showcase an ability to rise to this occasion.
In most cases, students from our program that struggle in the job market (pandemic or not) do so because they
- didn't network
- didn't demonstrate a high level of involvement beyond their education
- and aren't flexible with relocation or realistic with entry-level compensation
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Mari-Amanda Dyal: Indeed! Our backyard (that is, Atlanta) is rich with opportunity. However, it does depend on the career track they pursue (corporate, non-profit, government, clinical, or academia). Our graduates go into urban and rural settings with large and small populations. This is the beauty of this field, in terms of opportunity, in a variety of areas and places. We are not married to any one place.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Mari-Amanda Dyal: The pandemic has been a catalyst in this regard - forcing us to embrace technology in a way we haven't before. As a result, we haven't missed a beat in program development, delivery, and evaluation. I think this will continue to grow over the next five years, with expansion opportunities reaching populations that seemed unreachable.
Many didn't think that their disciplines could weather this type of change, but many are now thriving in a way they didn't before - and that is the case for ours.
Dr. Tonya Nicholson
ChairFrontier Nursing University
Department of Midwifery and Women's Health
What experience really stands out on Health Specialist resumes?
Dr. Tonya Nicholson: For all advanced practice roles and for hiring within academia:
-Membership and activities within associated professional organizations
-Presentations or publications
-Advocacy Work
-Other community volunteer work
As a practice director and as an academic administrator, I am looking for well-rounded individuals with a passion for their work. I want to hire someone who loves their job and infuses the work environment with joy and excitement. The capacity to function as an influential member of the team will often be the deciding factor between candidates.
While specific skill sets are required for particular positions, attitude and aptitude are equally valued.
When hiring nurse-midwives, the following experience is valuable:
-Full-scope midwifery practice
-Other experience in advanced practice (if the applicant has more than one area of certification)
Previous nursing experience in a related area:
-Labor and delivery
-postpartum/newborn
-Nursery
-Women's health
-Childbirth educator
-Lactation Work
-Advocacy work for maternal/newborn health or issues
When hiring NPs, the following experience is valuable:
-Related NP practice experience
-Other experience in advanced practice (if the applicant has more than one area of certification)
-Related RN practice
When hiring for academia:
-Clinical practice experience
-Teaching experience (especially at a similar level to the one applied for)
-Teaching philosophy that aligns with the mission of hiring institution
-Passion for content
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Tonya Nicholson: All clinical fields:
-Increased demand and use of telehealth (Many busy patients will have tasted the convenience of telehealth during the pandemic and will not want to return to the waiting room of the traditional office)-Improved patient outcomes with appropriate use of technology within the clinical setting; however, misuse of available technology puts the patient at risk.
-Potential for the perception of loss of the human touch- this can easily be remedied with intentional and appropriate use of technology balanced with purposeful communication and interactions with the clients.
In education:
-Increased demand for online education opportunities
-Changes in education
-Virtual simulations of clinical experiences
-Virtual office hours and small group interactions between students and faculty
-Mentoring of faculty who have previously taught in brick and mortar environments to be able to teach effectively in the online classroom
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Dr. Tonya Nicholson: Living and thriving during an experience like this pandemic will inevitably have a long term effect on the student and graduate population educated during this period. These individuals will have developed persistence and resilience at a high level. This was required to continue and complete their education. These graduates will also have attained flexibility, as they have had to readjust their plans multiple times. Their educational institutions shifted, clinical site requirements changed, and the patient population they cared for was impacted. This group of graduates will be able to function at a high level as they enter the workforce. Skills can be taught, but an experience such as the one these graduates faced can only be lived!
What type of skills will young Health Specialists need?
Dr. Stefanie Corbett: Health care administration graduates will need a combination of hard and soft skills when entering the workforce. Students need to be skilled in accounting, finance, policy, technology, leadership, communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Although it may take years of on-the-job experience to develop mastery of these skills, students should take advantage of internship, residency, and extracurricular opportunities to establish proficiency before graduation.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stefanie Corbett: One of the significant advantages of majoring in health care administration is the job outlook is projected to grow over the next decade across the country steadily. Opportunities exist in various health care settings for graduates in both urban and rural markets in all states. I advise my graduates to apply for both market types; those may require relocation and those that do not. In many cases, I have seen where local health care providers are eager to recruit and retain "homegrown" graduates from local universities. Still, students should be open to relocating as necessary to accept the best opportunity.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Stefanie Corbett: Technology is continually evolving in the field of health care. In real-time, administrators may access financial and clinical data, patient information, employee records, and regulatory policy updates, to name a few. They have such advancements in technology that help to ensure quick and astute decision making.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Dr. David Marc: We see more and more health information management and health informatics careers available through remote opportunities. This trend has progressed rapidly with the need to work remotely in response to COVID-19. I believe this trend will persist well into the future. Therefore, I anticipate that many of our upcoming graduates will be applying for jobs all over the United States where remote work is an option. This does lead to more flexibility for our graduates in selecting positions that aren't necessarily local.
COVID-19 has also emphasized the great need for having high-quality data. In many healthcare organizations, there is a lack of professionals that have the skillset to analyze and take action from data. With the motivation to analyze data to understand a virus and the impact it has had on communities, this requires people to have the skills to acquire and analyze such data. I anticipate that there will be many organizations looking to invest in a workforce that can capitalize on the use of data to guide organizations to respond appropriately.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Marc: Although many hospitals are facing financial pressures, and therefore having to lay off part of their workforce, organizations that offer analytics as a service have seen growth. This is largely due to many healthcare organizations using data to respond to financial pressures and to understand the risks and benefits of their decisions. Therefore, graduates that may be struggling to find jobs in hospital settings, if financial strains continue, may find success in companies that focus on offering analytic consulting services or vendors that focus on analytical software sales. These organizations are in need of professionals that can navigate the healthcare settings but also have the knowledge to analyze data.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. David Marc: In the next five years, I believe we will continue to see a greater emphasis on healthcare data and technologies that support the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data. We will likely see technologies that focus on data reporting and visualization continue to grow in adoption, technologies that focus on automation to create more efficient and effective processes are likely to grow in adoption, and the use of artificial intelligence to learn from data and support decisions is likely to grow. We have already seen these technologies begin to be adopted, and this adoption will likely accelerate within the next five years.
Anita Killins Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorHarding University
Department of Physical Therapy Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Anita Killins Ph.D.: There are certainly some current challenges that new graduates encounter as they enter the workforce during the pandemic, but it is difficult to predict how much impact the virus will have in the long run.
We have an excellent national organization, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which has been extremely helpful to us, as therapists, during this time. They have been doing research and will continue to monitor and report the status of jobs and circumstances for our professionals throughout the country. I expect that the future is still very bright for those who choose to join us in this profession as we learn to adapt to a new normal and incorporate what we've learned during this time to maximize our patients' outcomes.
One change that we have made since the pandemic that might last is the increased use of telehealth as an option for patient care. It comes with challenges, such as connectivity or access to technology. Still, the upside is that therapists have the opportunity to see their patients working and moving in their home environment. Insight into a patient's world can create an effective, reasonable, and appropriate treatment plan.
From an out-patient perspective, we will likely treat many patients who have had COVID-19. It is unclear how this virus will impact our patients, but there may be a future impact on tissue, organs, and systems that will affect how interventions are provided in the therapy setting. From a neurology perspective, unfortunately, some of our patients have avoided timely treatment for illnesses, due to contact with the hospital's virus. Sometimes delayed treatment can lead to worse outcomes and, ultimately, more significant health issues. For instance, immediate treatment is essential for the best results after a stroke or heart attack. As therapists, we may see the toll that delayed care takes on our patients during this difficult time. It will be interesting to see if we have more patients in need of services in the coming years due to the pandemic.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Anita Killins Ph.D.:
This is a difficult question to answer. We have graduates that have found positions all over the country.
Our students often decide where they want to live first, and then search for a position in that area, with quite a bit of success. Finding a job might be a bit more challenging during this time, depending on the virus's location and status. However, many recent physical therapy graduates are still finding jobs.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Anita Killins Ph.D.: I expect that we will continue to see more use of technology in the years to come. In addition to the more widespread use of simple things, like activity monitors on watches and phones, we will likely see the benefit of body motion monitors and wearable stimulation devices that can sometimes take the place of braces and splints and be used at home community. We may see robotics becoming more readily available for mobility and exercise as well.
Reference:
https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/news-publications/2020/impact-of-covid-19-on-the-physical-therapy-profession
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi
Dean and ProfessorHawai'i Pacific University
College of Health & Society
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Specialists?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: Yes, both challenges and opportunities. The pandemic brought about bio-psych-social-spiritual challenges, at an interesting level, and at the same time, it offered opportunities for innovation, creativity, solidarity in navigating school, work, and home. These graduates are stronger, and some probably didn't realize how brilliant they were until COVID hit.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Specialists to find work opportunities?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: The aftermath of COVID, and the recovery phase, will yield increased employment opportunities in social work across the country and the globe. Social work is a rich and broad field, as our curriculum educates students in practice, policy, research, theory, and the signature pedagogy of field education/practicum. You can't go wrong with that span of the knowledge base. It is a versatile degree for any career of interest.
How do you envision technology impacting Health Specialists in the next 5 years?
Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi: Social work has already leveraged technology, working with people across the lifespan, from children to older adults. Social work education is being delivered online and virtually. Social work practice has been done through technology-mediated mechanisms. In Social Work, technology is a medium for access to education and services.
