Background Checks and the Health Workforce: Practices, Policies and Equity


  • Abstract

    Background checks are intended to prevent harms to clients and businesses and ensure a quality workforce, but they may also exclude qualified workers. This study examined why and how background checks are used; the broad variation of laws, regulations and policies that govern them; evidence relevant to their use and potential misuse; and ways to use background checks to help ensure patient/client safety while supporting health workforce development.


  • Authors:

    Dunlap B, Basye A, Skillman SM.

  • Journal/Publisher:

    Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington

  • Edition:

    Nov 2021.

  • Documents:

    Full Report

  • Citation:

    Dunlap B, Basye A, Skillman SM.. Background Checks and the Health Workforce: Practices, Policies and Equity. Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington, Nov 2021.

  • Related Studies:

    Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing in Health Workforce Employment: Implications for Health Equity?