UC, UC Health see frontline student training as workforce solution

Amid ongoing challenges across the health care workforce, including burnout and shortages, the University of Cincinnati is working to tackle this issue through a program that embeds students in clinical settings. Becker's Hospital Review recently featured the Healthcare Exploration in Patient Care program.

As part of the program, students work as UC Health patient care assistants, offering support to nurses and providing more than 11,000 hours of hands-on care and help to shape the next generation of health care workers.

Arthur Pancioli, MD, senior vice president and chief clinical officer of UC Health, professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine and one of the course creators, discussed how the program is strengthening UC Health’s workforce, improving patient outcomes and expanding into new clinical specialties — all while transforming students’ career paths. 

Question: How has the Healthcare Exploration in Patient Care course influenced UC Health’s strategy for addressing workforce shortages across your system? 

Arthur Pancioli, MD: This program has helped to provide patient care assistants on our nursing units, to support our nurses at the bedside. They have helped to fill a need to the organization, as well as provide them an experience to help guide their futures. The relationship we’ve created between the [program] and the units has been invaluable to the care of our patients and families.

Q: How do you see this program shaping long-term workforce development at UC Health, and are there plans to expand it to other clinical areas or specialties? 

AP: We have started expanding it into allied health areas: radiology, laboratory, respiratory therapy and rehabilitation, as well as pharmacy and research. We have also expanded locations, from ambulatory clinics to our West Chester Township, Ohio-based West Chester Hospital.

Read the rest of the Q & A with Pancioli.

Featured image at top: University of Cincinnati Medical Center's main entrance with UC Health sign. Photo/UC Health.