In observance of Allied Health Professions week (Nov. 1-7), the California Hospital Association (CHA) released an educational video honoring allied health workers. When most people think about health care, they think about doctors and nurses who provide care directly to patients. However, there are many health care professionals working behind the scenes to provide laboratory, imaging and other critical services needed to diagnose and treat patients.

This segment of the health care workforce, called allied health, comprises 60 percent of all health care providers. Allied health professionals have a tremendous impact on health care delivery by supporting, facilitating and complementing the roles of physicians, nurses and other health care providers.

Sponsored by CHA and The California Endowment, this video pays tribute to the important role that allied health professionals play in the delivery of health care, and emphasizes the long-term need for an adequate supply of qualified, diverse allied health professionals given California’s growing and aging population. The video is also part of a larger effort being led by CHA’s Healthcare Workforce Coalition. The coalition was established by CHA in response to the need for a coordinated, statewide effort to develop and implement long-term strategies that will address allied health workforce shortages in the state.

Click here to view the video or visit the CHA Web site at http://www.calhospital.org/AlliedWorkforceVideo.