Texas Health Data

Data Description

Projected supply and demand for the nurse, physician, oral health, behavioral health, and physician assistant workforce are estimated for Texas statewide and by public health region, urban-rural classification, and metro/border status using the GlobalData Health Workforce Microsimulation Model. The model used Texas-specific data when possible and data from national or other sources when necessary.

Supply is modeled using licensure data from the Texas licensing entity of each profession (e.g. Texas Medical Board, Board of Nursing, Texas Board of Dental Examiners). Information used from the licensing data includes license status, specialty, practice address, date of original licensure, hours per week worked, and age. When Texas specific data is unavailable, reliable national sources, such as the American Medical Association Master File and American Dental Association Master File, are used.

Demand is modeled using population characteristics, economic variables, historic and current healthcare utilization patterns, and need for services based on the prevalence of disease and other health factors.
More detailed descriptions of the models can be found in the technical document available at https://bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/projecting-health-workforce-supply-demand/technical-documentation.
Planned or unexpected changes in any of the metrics used in the model will result in changes in the supply and demand. Interpretation of these projections should consider additional factors not included in the model (e.g., proximity to services, wait times, and drive times).

Acronyms

LVN - Licensed Vocational Nurse
RN - Registered Nurse
NP - Nurse Practitioner
FTE - Full Time Equivalent
NCHS - National Center for Health Statistics
MSA - Metropolitan Statistical Area

References

Metropolitan Statistical Areas: NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties
Public Health Regions
Metropolitan Definition
Border Definition

Related Links

Health Professions Resource Center (HPRC)
Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies (TCNWS)

For questions about nursing projections, please contact the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies at TCNWS@dshs.texas.gov. For questions about physician, oral health, behavioral health, or physician assistant projections, please contact the Health Professions Resource Center at HPRC@dshs.texas.gov.

These dashboards were last updated April 2024.