Occupational and demographic characteristics of the health care educator: a 20-year perspective.

This study describes the demographic and occupational patterns of the health care educator in the 1990s. A sample of ASHET members formed the study frame. The data obtained were compared with previous demographic and occupational pattern studies. Trend lines over the past 20 years seem to indicate relative stability in the health care educator's characteristics. Although better educated than in the past, the health care educator tends to be female, middle-aged, working in an acute care urban setting, occupying an administrative rather than instructional role, residing in a department of hospitalwide education and training, and reporting to a vice presidential level. This study also forecasts future patterns for the 21st Century.