WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Association of Academic Health Centers released survey results suggesting that faculty shortages in nursing and other health professions are constricting training capacity at academic health centers (AHCs), posing a significant threat to the nation's health care infrastructure, AHA News Now reports.

To assess AHC leaders' thoughts on faculty supply issues, the association surveyed member chief executive officers (CEOs) at academic institutions nationwide. Ninety-four percent of respondents said faculty shortages were a problem for at least one health professions program, and 69 percent said such shortages represented an institution wide problem.

Respondents reported that nursing programs were facing the most severe faculty shortages, with 81 percent of CEOs declaring nursing program faculty shortages a significant problem. Moreover, roughly half of respondents said faculty shortages had forced institutional-level changes such as limiting student enrollment, cutting programs and merging programs.

The report attributes the faculty gaps to retirement among baby boomers, heavy faculty workloads, salary disparities between academic and private practice positions, and waning interest in academic careers among students entering health professions. Surveyed CEOs cited a need for state and federal governments to take action on faculty shortages, but many respondents felt that governors and state legislatures were largely unaware of health workforce issues. In light of the findings, the association president asserts that "the magnitude of the problem calls for a collective response by academic health centers, higher education, and state and federal government."