This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Background/problem: Indigenous populations of the Pacific Basin have health statistics similar to developing countries . One theory of how to improve the health of this region is to recruit and train more indigenous providers to care for patients in the areas of need, thus increasing the number of providers, improving the cultural knowledge of the providers and the level of commitment to the community. However very few Micronesians have successfully pursued health science careers. Purpose: CRC assistance is requested to help fund this study to examine the factors common to successful Micronesian health care providers (physicians, medical officers, nurses and nurse practitioners), and factors that they perceived as barriers to the career paths they chose. Methods: This study will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1: Qualitative interviews: Initial interviews will be conducted with 10 health care providers of Micronesian descent. Information obtained will be analyzed by the PI using the qualitative analysis program by SPSS TechSmart for concepts and themes. Phase 2: The information gained from these interviews will be utilized to develop a written survey form that will then be sent to 200 health care providers of Micronesian descent via email and snail mail with an anticipated return rate of 50%. The number of participants chosen constitutes a majority of the Micronesian healthcare providers practicing in the countries of the Pacific. The results of this survey will be analyzed by the PI using SAS software for row mean scores and regression analyses to understand the impact of demographic factors on the row mean scores. Significance: The results of the research project will be utilized to develop and improve programs to increase the number of students successfully pursuing healthcare careers across the Pacific.
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