July 11, 2007 – During the months of July and August, physicians providing medical, dental and mental health care in the U.S. Virgin Islands will be contacted by the Primary Health Care Office (VIPCO) to complete a survey for the purpose of determining: (1) current ratios of primary health professionals with respect to the general population (2) sliding fee scales for sites – such as private practices, clinics, health centers and hospitals (3) the number of full time equivalent (FTE) hours for clinicians and (4) anticipated future needs for sites.
Survey data will be collected primarily via e-mail and fax, presented and shared with the Commissioner of Health and Medical Boards, and subsequently forwarded to the U.S. Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Shortage Designation Branch at HRSA will then designate Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores in the areas of medical, dental and mental health throughout the territory based on internal criteria.
HPSA Scores and other statistics derived from survey results are used to determine the U.S. Virgin Islands' eligibility for federal initiatives to fill health provider vacancies, including the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and J-1 Visa Waiver (Conrad 30) program.
For further information regarding the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and J-1 Visa Waiver (Conrad 30) programs or the V.I. Physician Survey, please forward all correspondence to:
V.I. Primary Health Care Office
Office of the Governor
21-22 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: 715-1611
Fax: 774-6917
