Factors in recruitment and employment of allied health students: preliminary findings

The efforts of a group of participants in the Coalition for Allied Health Leadership program to assess how and why allied health students became interested in their professions and students' plans for future employment are described. Results of a survey administered to 29 physical therapist assistant (PTA) and 54 communication disorders (CD) students revealed that most of the students first learned about their professions through personal experience. Almost half of the PTA students decided to pursue their career after working in another career, and most of the CD students made the decision during high school or in college. The most important factors in students' decisions to enter the professions were a desire to help others and the nature of the work. CD students preferred private practice, whereas the most desired employment setting for PTA students was an outpatient clinical facility. For both groups, the three most important factors influencing where they wish to live and work were job availability, access to medical care, and proximity to family and loved ones. Although half of the CD students hailed from small towns and rural areas, less than one third intended to work in these areas. Implications of survey findings are discussed.