Iowa news
Iowa among states with greatest ‘brain drains’
Small, rural states are hit hardest by college-educated graduates moving away, and Iowa ranks 10th among states with the highest percentage of college graduate losses. This “brain drain” analysis was conducted by economists at the University of North Carolina, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago. The analysis used LinkedIn to estimate how many college graduates remain in state. Vermont lost the highest percentage of college graduates while Washington, D.C., Colorado and New York saw the greatest gains in college grads. (The Washington Post)
UI Scanlan Center for School Mental Health opens for patient referrals
The University of Iowa’s Scanlan Center for School Mental Health opened its clinic for patient referrals on Sept. 6, making researchers, instructors and clinicians available for Iowans. The clinic will increase mental health care and services for preschool through 12th grade students, educators, and school staff. The center originally launched in 2021, but is now focusing on creating a well-prepared staff for all schools in the 99 counties of Iowa. The center will establish evidence-based practices, clinical assessments, and intervention services. The clinic will help offer more mental health services in various situations including crisis debriefing and short-term individual counseling. (Daily Iowan)
UnityPoint Health plans new clinic in Waukee
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines plans to construct a two-story medical office building in Waukee. The proposed development would be kitty-corner from a medical clinic and surgery center planned by Iowa Clinic, a physician-owned chain of clinics and urgent care centers. A UnityPoint primary health care clinic and specialty clinic would be located in the proposed 55,000-square-foot building. The site plan also indicates there is space on the property to add a 20,000-square-foot expansion. Construction is expected to be completed July 31, 2024. (Business Record)
National news
Nurse practitioner will be fastest-growing job over next decade
The occupation with the highest projected percent change of employment in the U.S. between 2021 and 2031 is nurse practitioner, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau estimates that employment of nurse practitioners will grow by 46% during that period, from 246,700 to 359,400. Other health care occupations among the 20 with the highest projected percent change of employment in the U.S. between 2021 and 2031 are medical and health services managers (28%), physician assistants (28%) and physical therapist assistants (26%) (Becker’s Hospital Review)
PAs push for permanent expansion of practice authority
Many states temporarily waived or relaxed scope of practice rules for physician assistants during the pandemic to expand access to care. Now, PAs are pushing for those changes to become permanent. Some states increased the amount of PAs that one physician could supervise, for example, while others allowed PAs to practice remotely without a physician present. A timeline for when states may revoke these flexibilities is unclear. Many physicians and medical groups have opposed permanent scope of practice expansions for PAs, saying the move was necessary to respond to the COVID-19 crisis but could jeopardize patient safety if kept permanently. (Medscape)
So you haven’t caught COVID-19 yet. Does that mean you’re a super dodger?
The group of people who have yet to be hit with a COVID-19 infection continues to get smaller. But, as with other viruses, a small group appears to be resistant to the virus. Scientists are trying to determine if members of this group are true “super dodgers,” with genetic mutations that help them avoid infection altogether, or if their genetic makeup helps them avoid having symptoms. In either case, the answers could help shape how we fight the virus going forward. (Iowa Public Radio)