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International Health Workers Assistance Centers

Funded by The California Endowment

Mission Statement

“To build a bridge between the need for linguistically and culturally competent health services in underserved communities and the pool of internationally trained health workers living in California.”

Source: UCSF Center for the Health Professions

US pop.

MD RN DDS

L 11.7% 5% 2% 3%

AA 12.6% 3% 5% 2%

NA .8% - 1% -

API 3.9% 11% 4% 5%

W 71.3% 78% 87%

90%

US Health Workforce & Population

Source:The California Endowment

Population

Nurses

Latinos 31.1% 4%

Afr. Amer. 7.4% 4%

Nat. Am 0.9% -

API 11.8% 13%

White 48.8% 79%

CA Population and Nurses

Population

MDs

Latinos 31.1% 4%

Afr. Amer. 7.4% 3%

Nat. Am 0.9% -

API 11.8% 21%

White 48.8% 72%

CA Population and MDs

Planning Phase Goals (Yr. 1)

Document the number of immigrant health professionals and their training needs.

Develop a database on licensure guidelines.Develop curricula.Develop partnerships with health and public

health employers.

Implementation Phase Goals (Yrs. 2-3)

Provide Educational Case Management services to participants.

Support participants in obtaining professional licenses and/or link participants to existing health professions training Programs.

Identify existing “fast track” programs and develop other such courses as possible.

Provide courses on the US Health Care System, Leadership in Health and English for Health Professionals.

Expected Outcomes

Contribute to the diversification of the health workforce.

Development of new curricula and “accelerated” programs.

Develop policy recommendations.Identify future program plans.

Professions (As of 7/02)

1257

324

668

310

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

MD DDS Nurse OTHER

Other includes: psychologists, speech therapists, pharmacists, midwifes, physical therapists, social workers. N=2,514

Working In Health?

37%

63%

YESNO

N=2,514

Time In The U.S.

1-3 yrs30%

7-9 yrs9%

4-6 yrs15%

<12 months16%

10 + yrs30%

N=2,514

Country Of Origin (N=2,514)

Mexico- 36%El Salvador- 9%Philippines- 8%China- 7% Colombia- 5%Peru- 5%Nicaragua3%

Other Countries Include: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina,

Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Trinidad, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Gender

1584

930

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Female Male

N=2,514

Identified Barriers

Language.Financial constraints.Time.Educational Institutions not giving credit for

prior education (e.g. Anatomy).Limited Knowledge about the US Health Care

System.

Conclusions for Program Planning

Strong interest in intensive English for Health Professionals class.

Interest in Introduction to the US Health Care System Course.

Study groups for licensing examinations.Strong interest in Fast-Track Programs. Interest in learning about alternative career paths.Peer led groups.

Welcome Back Centers

San Francisco (415) 561-1833

Los Angeles (866) 372-9707

San Diego/Imperial (619) 409-6417

www.e-welcomeback.org