Workforce Issues to Keep in Sight as You Plan for 2023
In 2022:
- The total number of nurses in the United States dropped by 12.5%, from 6,018,734 in 2021 to 5,264,197 in 2022 (NCSBN).
- Physician burnout reached an all-time high of 63% (AMA).
- 59% of Gen Y survey respondents said they would switch providers for one with better online access (Intuit)
These stats are indicative of three of the most pressing issues healthcare leaders can keep in sight when planning for 2023:
- Workforce shortages
- Provider wellness
- Patient loyalty
Here are our predictions about these top issues and solutions to help leaders make the most impact in these areas during 2023.
Staying Ahead of Workforce Shortages
For 58% of medical practices surveyed in 2022, staffing was the greatest challenge, followed by expenses at 20%, revenue at 17%, and technology at 2% (MGMA).
The nursing shortage is expected to reach 510,394 by 2030, according to researchers, and that number was predicted in 2017, before the pandemic led to further nurse departures ( ACMQ). It may prove to be even higher due to the pandemic.
Many facilities are struggling to find skilled providers. Healthcare organizations also face significant turnover as nurses retire, change careers, or leave their positions for less stress or higher pay.
Solutions for Staying Ahead of Workforce Shortages
To combat healthcare staff shortages, facilities can:
- Focus on attracting and retaining providers by creating work environments with competitive pay, career growth opportunities, autonomy, flexibility and effective leadership.
- Ensure rapid access to a pool of high-quality candidates through in-house or outsourced staffing resources.
- Design and implement a strategy for ongoing locums support to ramp up or pare down staff as needed.
- Take a financially mindful approach that uses locum tenens efficiently to ease cost pressures.
Supporting Provider Wellness
There’s no question that providers are under enormous pressure, and they’re showing the effects. In addition to 62.8% of physicians feeling burned out, 52.59% reported having episodes of depression, and only 57.1% said they would choose to become a physician again (Mayo).
Many providers are exhausted and overworked from having too many patients, too much administrative work, too many hours and not enough vacation time or time between shifts. Some have concerns about their safety at work, while others are worried about their mental health and wellness. In some states, there are union efforts to ban mandatory overtime and increase overtime pay by an additional 15% (AFT).
Solutions for Supporting Provider Wellness
To support the well-being and health of providers, facilities can:
- Bring on locum tenens support to alleviate pressures on permanent providers. This can help redistribute the workload, give clinicians time off to recuperate, and allow for rest during breaks and meal time, all while reducing overtime costs.
- Provide resources to support health professionals in mental health, burnout, stress management and workplace safety.
- Take measures to show clinicians they’re valued by spotlighting them, thanking them, bringing them meals, giving self-care gifts, and engaging them in decision-making.
- Create a more inclusive environment for providers and patients by recruiting a more diverse workforce.
Building Patient Loyalty
Healthcare consumers appreciate the convenience of telehealth. According to Deloitte, 80% of consumers surveyed reported they are “likely to have another virtual visit, even post-COVID-19.”
Further, with the “retailization” of healthcare, also dubbed “medtail,” and the entrance of players like Amazon, CVS, Google, Walgreens, and Walmart into the healthcare space, traditional facilities may struggle to retain patients.
To appeal to rising generations and succeed in the “patient experience economy,” facilities will need to build loyalty among today’s healthcare consumers, who value ease of access, rapid digital communication, low wait times, positive provider-patient interactions and more.
Solutions for Building Patient Loyalty
To improve patient satisfaction and build loyalty, facilities can:
- Expand telehealth offerings. Bring in locum tenens support to cover telehealth, if needed, giving permanent providers more valuable face-to-face time with patients.
- Provide digital services and ensure they are streamlined to avoid patient frustration.
- Work to improve support staff and provider satisfaction, which can translate to more positive patient interactions.
- Ensure the facility has adequate clinical staff in general medicine and hard-to-fill specialties so patients can get in quickly to see providers and have low wait times once they arrive.
Wishing you the best in 2023! To see how we can help you prepare for success with locum tenens support for your team, connect with us today.
