This crisis affects both patient care quality and the financial stability of healthcare institutions. But why is there a healthcare worker shortage? Here is insight into four leading contributors to this healthcare staffing crisis. We’ll also explore how you can leverage MedCerts Partners Solutions to start solving your staffing needs.
Increased Demand for Healthcare Services
Approximately 18% of the U.S. population is over 65 years old, and this number continues to grow. the baby boomer generation continues to age and medical advances prolong the average person’s life span. A 2024 Pew Research Center study projects that the U.S. centenarian population will quadruple in the next 30 years.
The aging population will likely need more medical care, straining the already stretched healthcare sectors. In addition, there’s a drastic increase in the number of professionals retiring due to old age, resulting in fewer people offering care in successive generations.
More healthcare service providers and support staff are needed to provide primary and nursing care to elderly patients with chronic illnesses.
High Turnover and Burnout Among Healthcare Workers
The healthcare profession can be exhausting due to the high volume of patients and stressful working environments. Staffing shortages worsen this issue, forcing remaining healthcare workers to work overtime.
The increased workload contributes to increased rates of burnout and eventual high turnover rates. In fact, according to a survey by the Keck School of Medicine, about 34% of nurses contemplate quitting their duties, with about half of them citing burnout.
Shortage of Qualified Professionals Due to Education Gaps
Training needed to specialize as a healthcare service provider can be costly and lengthy. This may be a deterrent to prospects wishing to pursue this noble profession. In addition, finding the right fit for a specific position can be daunting for the recruitment team. This contributes to a protracted onboarding process that can only further strain the remaining healthcare workers.
Differences in Location and Type of Healthcare Setting
Outpatient and inpatient settings have differing staffing needs. For instance, outpatient settings rely heavily on allied healthcare workers to manage high patient volumes. Meanwhile, the inpatient setup needs more physicians and nurses to handle chronic and complex illnesses.
In addition, perioperative centers need more surgical technicians, while imaging setups require radiologic specialties. Also, rural settings may have fewer healthcare centers than urban places, putting more strain on the already few service providers available.
Collaborate With MedCerts
To gain access to a pool of talent that fills your staffing needs, consider partnering with an educator like MedCerts. We are a premier online healthcare training institution providing a plethora of specialized healthcare courses. You can leverage our numerous partner solutions to help solve your healthcare staffing crisis. These healthcare staffing strategies include:
- The train-and-hire model
- Upskilling and reskilling
- Apprenticeship
Contact us to explore custom staffing and training solutions for your organization today.
