The purpose of the Hawaii State Loan Repayment Grant (HSLRP) is to improve access to health care in underserved communities of Hawaii by increasing the number of healthcare providers working in Health Professions Shortage Areas (HPSA). The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program was established in 2012 (HRSA H56CR25039) and has helped to recruit or retain 64 providers to date. With the necessary infrastructure in place, we would like to support at least 35 providers a year across Hawaii. Clinical Priorities addressed by this project: 1) Transforming the workforce – by targeting the need and 2) Improving access to mental health care. The needs to be addressed include the shortage and maldistribution of primary care, dental and mental health providers in HPSAs in Hawaii. The HSLRP will provide loan repayment contracts to primary care providers (MD, DO, NP, PA, CNM, RN), behavioral health providers (Health Service Psychologist, LCSW, LPC, MFT, PNS, LPC), dentists, registered dental hygienists, pharmacists and alcohol/substance abuse counselors to work in HPSAs. Measurable Objective 1: Improve the number of essential health care providers in the medically underserved areas of Hawaii by providing 35 loan repayment opportunities a year for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives, social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, registered nurses, marriage and family therapists, pharmacists, dentists, dental hygienists, alcohol and substance abuse counselors and psychologists resulting in a 10% decrease in primary care shortage in the areas identified as being in the greatest need for services by the Physician Workforce Assessment, the Center for Nursing and the State Primary Care Office HPSA assessment. Measurable Objective 2: Improve the retention of health care providers (HCPs) in the medically underserved areas of Hawaii by supporting community involvement in the welcoming process, providing regular distance education through
Project ECHO, supporting face to face continuing education to promote bonding with the medical community, encouraging teaching of the next generation and supporting career ladder experiences for promotion through the University of Hawaii clinical preceptor system. Evaluation will include 1. Documentation of applications, awards, defaults; 2. Regular assessment of satisfaction of participants; 3. Annual tracking of health professions supply and demand for changes in workforce shortages. Who/What/When/Where/How: Qualifying recipients will receive $25,000-$50,000 a year for at least two years service. These providers will be adopted by communities and not only care for those with health concerns, but become involved in teaching health professions students. This program will fill the missing link in the Hawaii recruitment efforts by allowing students with large debt burden to choose long term practice in underserved areas. In addition, the Area Health Education Center will support annual continuing education to help providers feel invested in the medical community. The HSLRP is designed to provide an immediate increase in the provider workforce in underserved areas, and also establish the community and educational integration that sets the stage for long term retention of providers in areas with the greatest unmet need in the state.