Fiscal board seeks entity to analyze healthcare workers shortage
By The Star Staff
The Financial Oversight and Management Board is seeking an entity to conduct an analysis to understand and address shortages of healthcare workers in Puerto Rico, according to a request for proposals (RFP) document.
“The goal is to particularly understand the healthcare workforce supply and demand and the drivers of such, which is currently creating an imbalance in society,” the document noted. “The results will be our pointers in addressing the most acute healthcare workforce shortages in the commonwealth. Obtaining these key drivers will be the base for identifying targeted ideas to continue supporting the healthcare system.”
The selected entity must develop a survey methodology instrument to identify the healthcare workforce supply and demand imbalance, as well as what exactly are the fundamental drivers of supply and demand. The results will be used to help address the most acute healthcare workforce shortages on the island.
The selected entity will be required to conduct a comprehensive healthcare workforce survey in Puerto Rico that will include but is not limited to: design and development of survey instruments, data collection and analysis, and reporting and presentation of survey results and recommendations for workforce planning and development.
Vendors interested in submitting proposals must provide a company profile and qualifications, including relevant experience with surveys carried out in the health sector or related to the workforce; the proposed steps, timeline, milestones, deliverables, and resources required; and pricing.
The selected entity must deliver to the oversight board all data collected, not limited to raw data, data visualizations, analysis, or variables incorporated for measurement. In addition, the selected entity must include needs identified, recommendations and conclusions as part of the closure report
Interested parties have until July 14 to submit proposals to the oversight board, according to the June 15 RFP. The board will pay fees previously agreed upon with the contractor.
According to Health Department officials, more than 8,000 doctors have ceased to practice in Puerto Rico in the past 13 years. Based on those numbers, the island would have lost 46% of its doctors in little more than one decade.