A well-distributed, properly trained and adequately supplied workforce is the hallmark of a high-quality medical system. However, constant changes in society and biomedicine make healthcare one of the most complicated public sectors in the modern age. This became ever more evident with the 2019 pandemic, which strained the nursing and medical care service delivery. The crisis highlighted the importance of sustainable human resource planning and practices in the medical field. Here are a few projections on the state of the U.S. healthcare labor market and several solutions to help avert future worker crises.
Stats on the U.S. Healthcare Worker Shortage
A recent study by Mercer consultancy in collaboration with Lightcast paints a grim picture of the shortage of healthcare workers. There’s an expected deficit of 100,000 critical staff members by 2028. Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Health Care Workforce, about 102 million people reside in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) as of 2023.
Understanding the contributing factors to the deficit can help you further understand the issue. Some of the causes include:
- Aging Workforce and Population: In 2022, 58 million Americans, representing about 17% of the entire population, were 65 years and above. This figure will likely increase to 23%, constituting 83 million individuals by 2050. Healthcare service providers must have the skills, training and numbers to serve this older demographic. However, there’s also a trend of an aging workforce, with 47% of active physicians being older than 55 years in 2021. Luckily, the outlook may not be entirely grim with a 6% increase in medical school enrollment between the 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 academic years.
- Burnout and Mental Health Issues: High levels of stress are a major cause of burnout. A survey by Mayo Clinic Proceedings revealed that about 63% of physicians experienced burnout in 2021, with 23% feeling depression. Worsening work-life balance and reduced professional satisfaction also likely contribute to increased burnout.
- Reduced Access to Care in Rural Areas: According to a systematic review by the National Library of Medicine, less than 12% of physicians practice in rural areas. This is despite 20% of the U.S. population living in this setting. The disparity creates an imbalance in the healthcare service delivery.
Staffing Solutions with MedCerts Partner Solutions
A proper staffing plan ensures high-quality healthcare delivery nationwide. Some of the sourcing strategies you can employ as an HR executive include:
Build a Training Program
Lack of qualified prospects is one of the leading causes of healthcare staffing shortages. You can solve this issue by identifying candidates and training them using online education and certifications. The strategy allows you to recruit people whose temperaments you’re familiar with and who are likely to thrive in the vacant positions. You can leverage MedCerts Partner Solutions to ensure top-quality training and certification.
Upskilling Current Employees
Reskilling or upskilling your current healthcare staff members provides an excellent opportunity for availing the latest training. This staffing solution helps to fill any skill gaps that may arise in the dynamic medical setting, ensuring top-notch service delivery. It also provides opportunities for career advancement that improve staff satisfaction and retention. MedCerts’ cost-effective upskilling program enables you to develop and prepare your existing workforce, mitigating the current talent crisis.
Apprenticeships
Healthcare apprenticeship programs allow you to narrow down talent that is ready for on-the-job training. You can introduce your organization’s culture and systems to candidates at an early stage, improving their chances of hiring. Collaborating with an online healthcare educator like MedCerts gives you access to a pool of potential hires that you can consider for an apprenticeship and possible recruitment.
By partnering with MedCerts, you can implement these strategies and address staffing shortages.
