Staffing challenges throughout the healthcare industry are having a huge impact on facilities of all types. To combat this, many healthcare facilities are turning to provider placement services to make sure they can get help when and where they need it. This demand for help is continuing to increase today, in large part due to the following issues the healthcare industry is facing.
Shortage of Physicians and Other Professionals
Many healthcare facilities are having a hard time hiring new physicians because of the projected shortage. It takes years to train a new physician, so with so many reaching retirement age right now, it’s hard for there to be enough new graduates to fill all of the open positions. This is why many facilities may need help with provider placement services, as this is a great way for them to get the staffing coverage they need, even if there is a shortage that is expected to worsen over the next decade.
Growing and Aging Patient Populations
It’s not just the doctors that are closing in on retirement age, but the patients, too. The population in the US is growing, but it is also aging, and with that comes a need for more specialized care. On top of this, there is a need for physicians who can help with chronic conditions that are becoming more common and require more frequent care. As the population continues to grow and age, more care is going to be needed, contributing to the potential shortage.
Burnout and High Turnover Rates
Burnout is a common issue in the healthcare industry. Many workers have high patient loads as well as administrative burdens that add to the stress of the job. The pandemic highlighted and worsened this issue. Burnout can lead to higher turnover rates at facilities as well as physicians retiring early, reducing their hours, or switching to a different career to relieve the stress. This can lead to an increasing demand for more physicians during a time when there’s already starting to be a shortage.
Lack of Access in Rural Communities
There is an increasing number of areas that are starting to feel the shortage of physicians because they do not have access to the healthcare services they need. This happens a lot in rural areas, but it can also occur in urban areas that are underserved. This leads to patients having to travel longer distances to get the healthcare they need or to delay care, which can worsen their health outcomes when they have health issues or concerns.
The Issues are Getting Worse
These issues are having a rippling effect on the overall healthcare industry and causing further strains for physicians and other workers. Permanent staff members are frequently overworked, which leads to higher turnover rates. There’s an increased reliance on emergency departments as well as strains on healthcare facilities that aren’t able to hire enough workers to handle patient demand. These issues aren’t going to go away and can get worse with time, so it’s important for facilities to look into options like provider placement services.
While staffing gaps are common today, it doesn’t mean healthcare facilities have to do more with less. Instead, provider placement services are increasingly being used to help fill staffing gaps and ensure patients can receive the care they need. Take a look at provider placement services now to learn more about how they can help.