Tips, Tools & Trends In Healthcare Workforce Management

In the grand, global scheme of things, it’s safe to say there are some industries that are just far more important to humanity than others. It’s also safe to say that the healthcare industry definitely makes the cut as one of those critically important industries. But it’s also one of the most complex and is an industry currently plagued by challenges.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing healthcare leaders today, is the massive workforce shortage. To make matters worse, the shortage of healthcare professionals in the workforce is higher in two of the most essential worker categories in healthcare – physicians and nurses. All of which, is making healthcare workforce management more difficult than ever for healthcare leaders and hiring teams – at a time when it’s never been more important to have an effective, robust healthcare system.

To get on the path to a successful healthcare workforce management strategy, it’s essential to not only understand what the challenges are, but the why of it all. After all, there is no single reason to point to. There are several, which require a multi-faceted approach for healthcare organizations to optimize their workforce, manage costs and stay competitive. But before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a look at how we got here.

Deconstructing the Workforce Challenges in Healthcare

The healthcare industry in the U.S. is having a “perfect storm” of circumstances that have led to the current crisis. And there are a number of factors in play. However, the bottom line is the shortage of healthcare resources crashing into an increased demand for healthcare services. Good old supply and demand. But why is the demand rising? Let’s break it down.

• The Affordable Care Act (ACA) – The ACA expanded healthcare coverage to millions of new consumers increasing the demand across all specialties in the healthcare industry.
• An aging population – Older people utilize healthcare services at triple the rate of younger people.
• Medical advances – As medicine has gotten more advanced, people are living longer. In fact, the population of adults 65 and older grew almost 5 times faster than the total U.S. population in the past century. And again, an elderly population simply requires more trips to the doctor.

The irony of the current state of healthcare is that the shortage in healthcare workers can also be attributed, in part, to an aging population. Still, there are other driving factors as well.

What is Causing the Healthcare Workforce Shortage?

• Workers are aging out – Research from the American Association of Medical Colleges found that approximately 45% of physicians are older than 55 and that the average age of a nurse is 57. That means in the next ten years, nearly half of active physicians and nurses will likely be retiring.
• High levels of burnout – It’s not an understatement to say the pandemic caused an incredible amount of stress and worker burnout amongst healthcare professionals. One reports says 333,000 healthcare workers left their jobs in 2021 with many of them attributing their departure to the colossal workload and burnout caused by the pandemic.
• Lack of healthcare instructors and facilities – According to a report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), U.S. nursing schools turned away 91,938 qualified applications from nursing programs in 2021 because of an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space etc.

It bears mentioning that the shortage of healthcare professionals isn’t just a one-dimensional problem. It’s also the fact that a large majority of the shortfall is in seasoned healthcare professionals with the necessary experience and specializations that keep the system robust from all angles. There’s no question that workforce management in healthcare today requires strategic planning on a whole new level. And there are a number of trends emerging in the industry that are also changing the game.

Trends to Be Aware of

Here are some of the trends that are shaping healthcare workforce management:

• Telemedicine and Remote Work: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine and remote work in the healthcare industry. This trend is expected to continue, allowing healthcare professionals to provide virtual care and work remotely, leading to increased flexibility and access to a wider talent pool.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation: AI and automation are revolutionizing healthcare workforce management by streamlining administrative tasks, automating scheduling processes, and analyzing data to improve decision-making. AI-powered tools can help predict patient demand, optimize staffing levels, and identify opportunities for process improvement. But that’s not all. With an AI sourcing platform such as Arya, healthcare hiring organizations can streamline hiring by removing the burden of sourcing talent from their teams entirely. Arya’s Applicants on Demand service sources, qualifies and engages top healthcare professionals and delivers them directly into a healthcare hiring leader or staffing agency’s ATS as motivated applicants.
• Workforce Diversity and Inclusion: Healthcare organizations are recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in their workforce. Embracing diversity leads to better patient care, improved outcomes, and increased employee satisfaction. Strategies such as targeted recruitment, mentorship programs, and diversity training are being implemented to promote a more inclusive environment.
• Emphasis on Well-Being: Healthcare workforce management is increasingly focusing on the well-being of employees.Organizations are implementing wellness programs, offering mental health support, and prioritizing work-life balance to reduce burnout and improve retention.
• Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling: Data analytics and predictive modeling are becoming essential tools in healthcare workforce management. By analyzing data on patient volume, staff performance, and outcomes, organizations can make data-driven decisions about staffing, resource allocation, and training needs.
• Agile Workforce Strategies: The ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing circumstances is crucial in healthcare. Agile workforce strategies, such as flexible scheduling, cross-training, and resource pooling, are gaining traction to ensure organizations can effectively manage fluctuations in patient demand.

All of the above trends are components of an effective strategy for successfully managing your healthcare workforce. But let’s get more specific.

Tips and Tools for Effectively Managing Your Healthcare Workforce

• Strategically plan for staffing needs: Start by analyzing your patient volume and acuity to determine the optimal number of staff needed for each shift. This will help you avoid understaffing or overstaffing situations and ensure adequate coverage.
• Implement a scheduling system: Utilizing scheduling software or tools to create and manage staff schedules can streamline the process and allow you to easily track availability, make changes, and ensure all shifts are covered.
• Invest in staff development: Part of the problem in the current healthcare workforce is lack of skills in key specialty areas and more advanced healthcare roles. By investing in ongoing training and development opportunities for existing team members, you can close the skills gap, improve job satisfaction and increase overall retention.
• Make diversity and inclusion a priority: Prioritizing diversity hiring not only helps organizations meet their DE&I goals, it also opens the doors to a more diverse workforce. This, in turn offers a broader array of skilled healthcare workers across a diverse spectrum to care for a diverse population of patients. Which can improve patient outcomes and increase overall satisfaction.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration: Nothing inspires a robust workforce like a team who enjoys being a team. That’s why it’s important to encourage a culture of collaboration through team-building exercises, regular meetings, and open communication channels. When employees work well together, they’re more likely to stick around and give their all.
• Use data to inform decision-making: There’s just no substitute for good, hard data. Collect and analyze data on key performance metrics such as patient outcomes, staff satisfaction, and productivity to help you identify areas for improvement and to drive informed decisions about staffing and resource allocation.
• Prioritize work-life balance: Recognize the importance of work-life balance for your healthcare staff. Implement policies and practices that promote flexibility, time off, and support for personal well-being. This will help prevent burnout and increase employee satisfaction and retention.
• Communicate clearly and often: Effective communication is crucial in healthcare workforce management. It streamlines workflows and minimizes delays and confusion. By communicating effectively, healthcare professionals can ensure that tasks are delegated, executed, and completed efficiently. This leads to improved productivity and better time management, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of the workforce.
• Recognize and reward achievements: Celebrating successes not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of pride and satisfaction in the work being done. Be sure to recognize and reward the achievements and contributions of your healthcare staff. This can be done through employee appreciation events, performance bonuses, or public acknowledgments.
• Maintain a laser focus on overcoming burnout factors: – We’ve already established the damage employee burnout can do to a healthcare workforce. Working in the healthcare profession can be highly rewarding but also emotionally and physically draining. Keeping a finger on the pulse of your healthcare team’s overall well-being and satisfaction is critical to heading off any mass exits related to burnout. Strive to have one-on-on interactions with team members to ensure they feel they’re being heard and that the organization cares about them as individuals. When people believes the company is invested in their best interests and well-being, workers are more likely to stick around, even when times are tough.

Suggested Read: Contingent Workforce 101: A Comprehensive Kit for Contingent Staffing

What the Future Holds

As we look to the future of healthcare workforce management, it’s clear that technology will continue to play a crucial role in transforming the way medical facilities operate. With advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation, the possibilities are endless.

But to meet the workforce demands of an already over-taxed system, healthcare organizations must integrate new strategies that not only focus on culture, employee development, and the mental well-being of the healthcare professionals we depend on, they must deploy targeted recruiting and hiring strategies to engage and hire qualified healthcare workers. This is no small task in the fiercely competitive hiring landscape of healthcare today. Implementing the right technology can be the difference between filling your open roles and continuing to struggle with building a resilient workforce.

That’s where a sourcing tool like Arya can be a game-changer. With a solution for every healthcare sourcing challenge, Arya puts the power of AI and automation into the hands of healthcare hiring teams and staffing agencies. From Talent Scoring and Ranking, and Talent Intelligence, to the largest candidate database in North America, and Applicants on Demand – Arya is the single platform solution or stand-alone service you need to take your healthcare workforce to the next level. Contact us today to Learn More!

FAQs

What is healthcare workforce management?

Healthcare workforce management refers to the strategic planning, organizing, and optimizing of the healthcare workforce in a medical facility. It involves activities such as scheduling, resource allocation, talent acquisition, staff development, and ensuring adequate coverage to meet patient demand.

Why is effective workforce management important in healthcare?

Effective workforce management is essential in healthcare to ensure quality patient care, improve operational efficiency, and enhance employee satisfaction. By optimizing staff scheduling, aligning resources, and promoting collaboration, healthcare organizations can provide better patient outcomes and create a positive work environment.

What are some challenges in healthcare workforce management?

Some common challenges in healthcare workforce management include the constant need for skilled professionals, fluctuating patient demand, an aging workforce, and the complexity of managing a diverse workforce. These challenges require innovative strategies and solutions to overcome.

How can technology help with healthcare workforce management?

Technology plays a crucial role in healthcare workforce management. Tools such as scheduling software, data analytics, and communication platforms streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance coordination among healthcare professionals. They enable organizations to make data-driven decisions, optimize staffing levels, and improve overall operations.

What trends are shaping healthcare workforce management?

Some emerging trends in healthcare workforce management include the adoption of telehealth and remote work, the use of artificial intelligence and automation, an emphasis on workforce diversity and inclusion, a focus on employee well-being, and the integration of data analytics and predictive modeling. These trends aim to improve efficiency, adaptability, and the delivery of high-quality care.

How can healthcare organizations address burnout and retain healthcare workers?

To address burnout and retain healthcare workers, organizations can prioritize work-life balance, foster a supportive work environment, provide opportunities for growth and development, implement wellness programs, and recognize and reward achievements. These strategies promote employee satisfaction and well-being, leading to improved retention rates.

What is Arya’s Applicant’s on Demand and how does it work?

Arya’s Applicants on Demand service streamlines the hiring process by removing the burden of sourcing talent from healthcare hiring teams entirely. AoD sources, qualifies and engages top healthcare professionals and delivers them directly into a healthcare hiring leader or staffing agency’s ATS as motivated applicants.

Resources

• https://www.amnhealthcare.com/amn-insights/news/surge-in-healthcare-demand/#:~:text=An%20improving%20economy%20means%20consumers,treatments%20compared%20to%20acute%20conditions
• https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/25/health/us-population-median-age-39/index.html
• https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/more-300k-healthcare-providers-dropped-out-workforce-2021-report-finds#:~:text=Providers-,More%20than%20300K%20healthcare%20providers%20dropped%20out,workforce%20in%202021%2C%20report%20finds&text=Nearly%20334%2C000%20physicians%2C%20nurse%20practitioners,stressors%2C%20according%20to%20new%20data.
• https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20221024/over-333000-healthcare-workers-left-jobs-in-2021-report-says