Assuring a trained workforce for allied health: the administrator's role.

In many areas healthcare education has failed to keep pace with changing needs for new skills and characteristics. The Project on the Future of Allied Health solicited a number of white papers detailing characteristics, competencies and attitudes that will be required of allied health workers in 2005. Two concepts from those white papers pertain especially to radiology: (1) the knowledge burden of today's health professional is quickly approaching overload and (2) manufacturers of healthcare equipment and technology must bear some responsibility for the problems and solutions. Some large employers have determined that allied health education is not providing appropriate training and have initiated their own programs. New models of allied health education and practice already exist around the country. It is no longer "if" but "how" we can make progress toward change. The impetus and funding for new programs probably will not come from the government; leaders in the industry must implement changes in education and staff development. Radiology administrators and professional associations must play a role in redesigning programs for allied health training.