Healthcare Issue: Staffing Shortages

 

One of the issues currently facing the healthcare field is staffing shortages. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems are suffering from being short-staffed and this leads to negative patient outcomes, safety risks, and burnout among working staff. There are several reasons why healthcare is experiencing a shortage in healthcare professionals. Since telehealth has grown exponentially, many people choose to seek remote positions. Working remotely offers the advantages of working out of the comfort of your own home, being able to set more flexible hours, less time spent commuting to work, more time to spend on other tasks, and more. Additionally, many people experience burnout and feel physically and mentally exhausted. The pandemic placed a huge burden on healthcare and many staff members worked overtime to help sick patients or to improve their financial status. Some staff members chose to quit their jobs due to burnout, in order to preserve their wellbeing. Others had to fill in the holes left by staff who left, which can lead to them feeling burnt out as well. There has also been a nursing shortage. There is a high demand for nursing staff, and there aren’t enough nursing students to fulfill that demand. 

 So what can be done? Nursing programs could expand their programs to accommodate for larger nursing classes. There are often limited seats for gaining entry into a nursing program. If they were to expanded and allow additional applicants that are qualified, there would be a higher nurse turnout. Also, management could try filling positions left behind by personnel that leave. Oftentimes, the position will remain empty because it’s more cost-efficient for the department or because they think the rest of the staff can pick up the additional work. This leads to burnout and low workplace morale. If they would be more efficient at bringing on a new staff member, the other staff would feel as though their time and work is appreciated. Also, implementing wellness strategies and policies in the healthcare field could help boost morale and productivity. Using scheduling technology that implements artificial intelligence (AI) could also be useful in ensuring that workers don’t get overworked. 

 

Sources:

https://mphdegree.usc.edu/blog/staffing-shortages-in-health-care/