The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) projects a shortage of primary care physicians in upcoming years. By 2037, the healthcare industry will be down 87,150 primary care physicians. Many of those positions deal with family medicine, general internal medicine, and pediatrics.
One way the industry seeks to combat this employment deficit is through alternative healthcare staffing solutions. These solutions are only a small part of the transformative shift in healthcare, but they're some of the most important.
Here's how the staffing solutions future is expected to change and develop with these trends and innovations.
The Growing Demand for Healthcare Professionals
First of all, it's important to understand how the demand for healthcare workers has changed in recent years.
Many factors have impacted the hiring process and available workforce of the healthcare industry. Most recently, COVID has made a big change by increasing the amount of patients with ongoing health problems. At the same time, there was a large loss of healthcare jobs and a shift in hiring priorities to meet new demands.
Even though the sector has added tens of thousands of new jobs, the industry continues to face an ongoing labor shortage.
New changes to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, are expected to further affect the healthcare industry and its hiring policies. They could easily lead to a less diverse workforce and potentially impact patient care and outcomes. In addition, you may see lower employee retention and engagement.
Healthcare Industry Trends Shaping Staffing
Within the industry, there are several macro-level trends influencing staffing strategies. A few notable ones include:
- A shift towards value-based care
- The rise of telemedicine
- Workforce burnout and turnover
- Alternative hiring options
Value-based care is when providers are rewarded for patient outcomes. It requires a workforce skilled in preventative care, patient engagement, and data analysis. As such, healthcare hiring policies include positions such as data analysts and care coordinators.
The rise of telemedicine has redefined traditional staffing models. Since doctors can reach patients anywhere with an internet connection, it reduces the need for physical staffing in certain regions. It allows them to diagnose and prescribe medications as needed.
Many physicians experience burnout due to staffing shortages and administrative burdens. Addressing this issue means not only hiring new employees but also providing a stable work environment for them.
A reliable way to save time and cut costs in the hiring process is through a healthcare virtual assistant. These allow healthcare firms to outsource tasks such as customer service issues and marketing.
Innovative Staffing Trends
Healthcare organizations grappling with these staffing challenges are turning to new trends to meet their needs.
One such trend is the rise of flexible staffing models. A good example is gig economy platforms, which hire freelance employees to handle short-term or per-diem assignments. It's easy for workers to find quick employment that works with their schedule.
Another innovative trend is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in workforce management. AI-driven tools can predict staffing needs by analyzing patient volumes and historical data. They can also streamline the credentialing and onboarding process.
Nowadays, the Internet is used to hire employees from all over the world. Global talent outsourcing often pulls from countries like the Philippines and India. Both are well-known for their robust nursing education systems.
The main issue with hiring employees from abroad is managing the immigration process and cross-border credential recognition. Additionally, cultural integration programs may be necessary to ensure seamless transitions. Some religious limitations may require adjustments to their work schedule as well as details such as work attire.
Healthcare Workforce Innovations
Beyond trends, specific innovations in the healthcare workforce promise to improve the staffing ecosystem.
Robots and automation integration are two of the most noteworthy. Robotic process automation already handles repetitive tasks such as patient scheduling and billing. Human staff doesn't have to worry about sending reminders to patients, whether it's for an upcoming appointment or an unpaid bill.
In surgical settings, robotic assistants enhance precision. Surgeons can focus on decision-making rather than manual labor. These technologies help to redefine roles. More employees than ever before need to upskill in areas like robotics maintenance and AI oversight.
This leads to another innovation, which aims to deal with a newer problem. The rapid pace of technological change means that traditional education models can't keep up. Employees need to learn both the basics of their role and how to use the software revolutionizing the industry.
Micro-credentialing and online learning platforms help to fill this gap. They offer workers bite-sized, specialized training to meet their needs. Some important areas include:
- Telemedicine
- Genomics
- AI-driven diagnostics
Platforms like Coursera and edX partner with universities to offer certification courses that only take a matter of weeks. Nurses and technicians can quickly adapt to new tools and protocols.
DEI is another initiative that serves as a kind of workforce innovation. A diverse workforce improves patient outcomes by reflecting the communities served. Staffing solutions can use this to target recruitment and create mentorship programs.
Technology as the Backbone of Staffing Solutions
The future of staffing in healthcare is linked to technology. Beyond AI and robotics, blockchain technology is a game-changer for credential verification.
Healthcare workers often face delays when moving between employers or regions due to licensing and certification checks. Blockchain offers a decentralized, secure ledger of credentials. You can instantly access and verify them, streamlining mobility and reducing administrative overhead.
Similarly, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) streamline training and recruitment. VR simulations allow candidates to demonstrate clinical skills without risking patient safety. AR overlays digital information during procedures to support learning.
These tools enhance both the hiring process and ongoing professional development. They ensure staff remain competent in an ever-evolving field.
The Role of Policy and Collaboration
Technology and innovation undoubtedly drive progress. However, the future of healthcare staffing solutions also depends on supportive policies and collaboration.
Governments must modernize revolutions around telehealth reimbursement and workforce mobility. These are some of the best ways to keep pace with industry needs. Public-private partnerships can also accelerate innovation, such as funding AI research.
A strong example of policies going against progress is the dismantling of DEI initiatives. The argument is that dissolving these initiatives will lead to the hiring of more qualified individuals. However, it may also cause smaller communities to become overlooked and neglected.
Collaboration between healthcare providers, tech companies, and educational institutions is equally vital.
Hospitals can partner with tech firms to co-develop staffing platforms. Universities could work with employers to better align their curricula with skill demands. These alliances ensure that staffing solutions are proactive in meeting future challenges.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite all of these advancements, the future of healthcare staffing is not without hurdles.
Over-reliance on technology risks dehumanizing care. Patients may feel disconnected from their doctors due to automated systems or gig workers. If a patient doesn't have that person they can rely on, they may withhold information important for their treatment.
There is some concern over how AI will impact the healthcare industry.
Would some jobs get replaced by these programs? Does relying on AI systems expose sensitive information to hackers? Is blockchain a secure way to transfer data?
Additionally, the gig economy model may erode job security. Freelance healthcare workers aren't always given the same kind of benefits or protections as full-time employees. They would require new frameworks for worker protection.
Equity remains a critical issue as well. Innovations like AI and VR require significant financial investment. A well-funded urban hospital could gain access to them, but an under-resourced facility would struggle.
The Future of Staffing In Healthcare
The healthcare staffing landscape is quickly evolving, and how hospitals and private practices employ workers will change in turn. Imagine a hospital where AI predicts staffing needs a month in advance and automatically pulls in gig workers. With the right partnerships, it could find qualified workers from a global talent pool via a blockchain-verified platform.
Nursing schools may train new students using VR simulations, so each nurse will feel at home on their first day at work. Robotic assistants will handle routine tasks, allowing clinicians to focus on more complex cases.
International workers can join your team much quicker and avoid legal hurdles. Burnout is mitigated through flexible schedules and mental health support.
However, all of this can only happen with the right blend of innovation, policy, and collaboration. It's still vital for hospitals to get the right funding to implement these initiatives. Additionally, the government must continue to encourage initiatives such as DEI.
Follow Healthcare Staffing Solutions
The future of healthcare staffing solutions is a dynamic interplay of trends and innovations that address various needs. Flexible staffing models and AI-driven management help to bring in skilled employees from all over the world. You can outsource remote workers or bring in trained professionals as you see fit.
For those who need help finding offshore talent, look no further than SmartScale360. Our modern staffing solutions make your job easier, scalable, and more flexible. Book a consultation to learn more about our service and the talent we can provide.
