The healthcare industry is facing a workforce shortage, burnout, and staffing woes that must be resolved to guarantee seamless patient care. This has made the need for effective healthcare staffing a top priority. “Staffing challenges are now the number one impediment to delivering timely evidence-based medical care for our patients,” says Ben Williams, MD FACEP, Chief Medical Officer at TrueCare24 and Emergency Medicine Physician.
Healthcare professionals recently witnessed and survived a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that nearly killed over a million people, and as a result, a lot of them are still recovering from the aftermath. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 50% of healthcare workers report symptoms of burnout and decreased morale, which resulted in staffing challenges and substantial delays in patient care. Earlier this year, healthcare employment returned to pre-pandemic levels, however, many hospitals continue to experience personnel shortages as a result of COVID-19.
The blog examines the top healthcare staffing trends being witnessed as 2023 progresses.
What are the top Healthcare Staffing trends in 2023?
Vacancies due to Workforce Shortages
The dearth of healthcare workers has led to soaring patient care costs and longer wait times. Because of this, hospitals and healthcare companies will be actively recruiting through staffing agencies in the upcoming years, usually through clinical staffing agencies and traveling nurse agencies. This drift is poised to continue into 2023 as demand for healthcare offerings grows due to pandemic-delayed care and rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, and productivity amongst burned-out doctors and personnel declines. Though employers are including jobs at unprecedented rates, they face a definite shortage of potential workers. Grim working prerequisites and unreasonably heavy workloads are a block to an aging group of nurses, scientific assistants, and physicians.
The Surge in the Demand For Locum Tenens Medical Staffing
The US healthcare sector may experience a physician shortfall of up to 124,000 by 2033, according to the American Hospital Association. One of the ways to mitigate the adverse impacts of this shortage is to consider hiring locum tenens. Many healthcare providers do not have the right staffing plan in place to fulfill their emergency hiring requirements. Instead of planning for temporary staffing needs at the last moment, healthcare providers have started incorporating this in their hiring plans. Hospitals and other healthcare providers are seeing 20%-30% cost benefits in addition to better patient retention rates as a result of using local tenens physician and nurse staffing in a well-planned manner.
Technology-Driven Healthcare Staffing Approach
One of the key components of streamlining healthcare hiring for the future is making smart use of the array of technological tools that offer employers greater flexibility. In fact, 86% of health systems have a responsibility for innovation management. Taking advantage of technology in the sphere of talent management to improve staffing is a crucial aspect. Employers with technology-led hiring practices attract a better workforce while also helping them to build a strong talent pipeline for future vacancies.
Increase in Wages
Wages for physicians are increasing over time. Since 2019, the majority of healthcare salaries in the US have remained the same. Compensation started to slowly rise again last year after declining in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. The Annual Physician Salary Report states that whereas critical care doctors only had a 1% pay increase and other specialty physicians saw increases of up to 13% in 2021, physician assistants only saw an average 2% pay increase. In 2022, pay increases in the healthcare sector will be even more pronounced. The 2022-2023 Hospice Salary & Benefits Report found that the US average hourly rate for CNAs increased by 9.09%. As medical facilities ratchet up employment and aggressively seek out nurses and medical personnel, that tendency is probably going to continue. Hospitals and healthcare businesses will probably have no choice but to raise wages as a means of attracting and retaining top talent.
The Need for Better Staffing Practices
The increasing demand for patient care post-pandemic, the administrative workload, pandemic strain, and the shortage of staff have affected the mental health of healthcare professionals, causing them to switch careers. With high turnover, stagnant wages, and anemic hiring, healthcare staff is struggling after the prolonged battle with COVID-19. The surge in the number of patients with severe health conditions and a personnel shortage have also contributed to burnout in the healthcare arena. However, surges in healthcare hiring, decreased turnover, an overall increase in wages, and a focus on better staffing practices in 2023 seem promising to overcome the problems plaguing the healthcare industry. Employers in the healthcare industry who implement these practices are positioned for success during these challenging times.
Rising Demand for Jobs
- The demand for healthcare staffing jobs in the US is expected to increase due to numerous factors, including:
- The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for healthcare staff due to labor supply and demand imbalances. Ongoing care for chronic diseases creates an everlasting demand across various healthcare settings.
Population growth, aging demographics, and technological advancements are driving demand for healthcare services. Easy access to healthcare and expanding insurance coverage further contribute to the need for healthcare professionals.
By 2031, it is estimated that the Global Healthcare Staffing Market will amass about $89,763.9 million, growing from $40,080 million in 2021 at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2022 to 2031. All these factors are projected to drive market growth and demand in the near future.
The Aftermath of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the shortage of healthcare staff, which was already declining before the outbreak. Limited staffing now leads to delayed patient checkups and more severe medical conditions. The US faces a healthcare crisis characterized by a lack of trust in medical authorities, soaring bills, staffing shortages, and declining public primary care initiatives. The poorly managed care conditions due to lack of staff has created an environment where healthcare workers are under tremendous pressure to care for both inpatients and new patients whose untreated conditions have worsened. The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened healthcare systems globally, leading to overcrowding, shortages, and financial strain. Efforts to address these challenges are underway, but the impact will be felt for years to come.
Why Effective Healthcare Staffing is a Top Priority
Healthcare staffing has emerged as a top priority in 2023 and for good reason. The ongoing challenges and rapid changes in the healthcare landscape have highlighted the critical need for a well-staffed and resilient workforce. It is critical that we continue to prioritize healthcare personnel in order to develop a stronger, more sustainable healthcare future.
iQuasar’s healthcare staffing services ensure that you always have a team of qualified healthcare staff to deliver seamless patient care. In a competitive landscape, we foster engagement with healthcare workers by relying on smart technology, creativity, and, above all, a personal touch. We have access to a vast pool of talented healthcare professionals that includes Licensed Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Medical Assistants. With us by your side, you will never have to miss out on exceptional talent when looking to fill an open position.
