DRAFT MINUTES

WVRHEP RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
COMMITTEE MEETING
                                 September 20, 1999
    
Days Inn, Flatwoods

Attending: Linda Atkins, Chuck Conner, Tom Hefner, Mike Holt, Jill Hutchinson,
Mike Lewis, Imogene Foster (for E. Jane Martin), Jim Nemitz, Jo Ann Raines,
and
Amy Thomas. Staff: Alicia Tyler.  Absent: Janet Frye, Jill McDaniel, James
McMillion, Giovanna Morton, John Traubert, Robert Whitler. Guests: Caryl
Kramer, Elaine Mason, Hilda R Heady, Annie McIntosh, Anna Reno, and Stephen
Thomas. 

The Committee chairman, Dr. Mike Lewis, opened the meeting.  The minutes of
the
May 17th meeting were approved. 

Health Sciences Scholarship Program (HSSP)

Alicia reminded members that the HSSP deadline is October 31, 1999.  She
distributed a report showing where individuals are practicing and gave a brief
program update:  

• 3 physicians from the 1995-96 awards began their practices; 2 paid back
their
obligations; and 4 are not yet known.
• A total of 23 other providers (12 NPs and 11 PAs) are serving their
obligations in underserved areas;  
• 5 NPs and 3 PAs have paid back their scholarships; 
• One PA is in default (student did not complete program).

NP and PA students from 1998-99 are having problems finding jobs.  The
committee discussed various reasons for this. There may still be a need, even
though there may not be budgeted positions.  One reason may be resistance to
hiring non-physician providers.  Jill Hutchinson reported that the WV Primary
Care Association is working on a booklet, What is a PA?, and also plan a
booklet
on Advanced Practice Nurses.  The purpose is to encourage more use of PAs and
NPs.

Another reason may be the slow-down in development of Rural Health Clinics. 
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 gives states the option to discontinue
cost-based reimbursement to FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics. Jill reported that
the State of WV has agreed to continue cost-based reimbursement this year.
This
issue is being addressed at the national level through the proposed Balanced
Budget Act refinement legislation. Sen. Rockefeller and other members of our
congressional delegation are sponsoring measures to continue cost-based
reimbursement. 

Subcommittee on Allied Health

Alicia reported that she and Linda Atkins had met with Tommy Mullins at Boone
Memorial Hospital to discuss recruitment and retention strategies.  There are
few resources for non-primary care fields, but the need is great. A survey on
allied health done by the WV Hospital Association in 1991 was distributed. 
More up-to-date information is needed.  Alicia asked for volunteers to
serve on
a subcommittee to gather information and consider expanding eligibility for
HSSP.  The law allows the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences to add “other
disciplines identified as shortage fields.”  The subcommittee includes: Jill
Hutchinson, Linda Atkins, Chuck Conner, Steve Thomas, Mike Holt, and Alicia
Tyler.  

WVU Provider Placement Service

Elaine Mason discussed progress in developing this service for WVU alumni and
physicians in WVU-affiliated residency programs (both Morgantown &
Charleston).  She has met with residency directors,  is getting to know
residents, and works closely with WVRHEP site coordinators. Elaine is setting
up a database based on forms completed by residents and communities.  She
distributed brochures for sites and residents, a map of the state’s primary
care residencies and internship programs, and a summary sheet on WV financial
incentive programs.  

Jim Nemitz asked about the scope of service.  Does it go beyond informing
residents of the availability of opportunities?  Elaine said she was a
“placement advocate” rather than a recruiter.  Jim said that WVSOM is
providing
a similar service, which includes career counseling, preparation of a c.v.,
etc.

WV Rural Health Access Program

Hilda Heady discussed the RWJ/Benedum site visit on August 31, 1999, regarding
questions on West Virginia’s proposal. In recruitment and retention, the
questions focused on the coordinated placement service, Recruitable
Communities
Project, evaluation of incentive programs, locum tenens project, and how the
Recruitment & Retention Committee would address policy issues such as
residency
training.  Hilda discussed the “town and gown” issue implicit in the question
about the schools’ role in placement and acknowledged Tom Hefner for providing
an important community perspective during the site visit.        
3R Net

Linda Atkins distributed information from the 3R Net (Rural Recruitment &
Retention Network) web site.  West Virginia participates in this project,
which
costs only $79 annually.  The service is free to community sites profiled on
the web site.  Linda will send forms to communities to complete profiles. To
operate the coordinated placement service, WV will purchase the NC Practice
Sites software.   Linda has been named to the Board of 3R Net; she and Elaine
Mason will attend a national meeting of 3R Net in November.

J-1 Visa Waiver Policy

Linda distributed a copy of the state’s policy for recruitment of J-1 Visa
physicians, which was officially adopted on September 1, 1999.  Specialties
that are eligible include family practice, medicine/pediatrics,
obstetrics/gynecology, and general psychiatry.  Internal medicine and
pediatrics are no longer eligible.  Mike Lewis said that federal policies are
reducing the number of residency slots for international medical graduates
(IMGs), which have been used by large urban hospitals to provide indigent
care.
Jill said that at a recent NHSC conference, an issue was raised about health
centers hiring IMGs over NHSC doctors. The reason is that IMGs will work for
less money, but retention is low.

The meeting was adjourned.
  


  

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