3 Solutions to Understaffing in Healthcare

Did you know that by 2028, there’s an expected shortage of around 100,000 critical healthcare workers? The healthcare industry is grappling with the impact of this reality and how it will look for various roles and the realm of patient care. This crisis is multifaceted, stemming from many factors, including increased patient demand and employee burnout.

“Going back to pre-pandemic hospital working conditions will not solve the continuing disruptions in hospital care that have persisted even as the pandemic has ebbed,” said Leanard Davis Institute (LDI) Senior Fellow Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Transformational improvements in hospital nurse staffing and clinical work environments are needed to stabilize the hospital nurse workforce and provide safe patient care.”

So, while the healthcare sector has always been under pressure, the climate of this industry post pandemic has only exacerbated staffing shortages. From emergency rooms to nursing homes, healthcare institutions are struggling to fill critical roles at a healthy pace. But which specific positions are most affected, and why is this happening? More importantly, what are the negative consequences of these staffing gaps on patient care, staff well-being, and the healthcare system at large?

Let’s dive in!

5 Healthcare Roles Facing the Most Severe Shortages

The effect of this shortage is impacting all roles within the healthcare sector, from doctors to administrative staff. However, some roles are seeing it more than others.

Nurses, the backbone of healthcare, are dealing with burnout and high turnover, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Physicians, especially in primary care and specialties like geriatrics and psychiatry, are in short supply, with rural communities hit hardest.
Medical technologists and laboratory technicians, critical for accurate diagnostics, are also scarce, due to declining interest and burnout.
Mental health professionals are outnumbered by the growing mental health crisis and need for mental health care.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are facing similar staffing issues, leading to delays in prescription fulfillment and medication management. The Health, Resources, and Services Administration (HRSA) projects a shortage of around 17,030 for these professionals by 2037.

The widespread consequences of this shortage include extensive wait times, delayed treatments, and increased strain on healthcare workers.

What Can Be Done?

If you’re looking to approach this problem head-on within your healthcare facility, focus your solutions on improving working conditions, increasing educational opportunities, and offering stability that is uniquely tailored to the needs of your healthcare professionals. Without taking action on even the smallest of scales, the healthcare system could struggle to meet the growing demands of an aging population and a workforce under intense pressure.

So, where can you start? As a premium staffing and professional services company, creating solutions for staffing shortages is our field of expertise! But as we create these solutions, our goal is to maintain a people-first mindset to ensure alignment, offering the most support and care where possible. That way, we’re mitigating potential problems before they even arise. Check out our tactics for tackling your team shortage!

Strategies to Maintain a Sustainable Workforce

1. Workforce Development: Upskilling, Reskilling, and Preskilling

To help mitigate staffing shortages and attrition, invest in ongoing skill development for existing staff. This ensures crucial roles remain filled.

Implement training programs: Upskill, reskill, and preskill current staff.
Create a flexible and adaptable workforce: Prepare and empower employees to transition into high-demand roles.

These workforce development initiatives not only help mitigate staffing shortages but can significantly promote career growth, increase job satisfaction (and loyalty), and ensure that employees are equipped to meet the demands of an ever-changing healthcare environment within your organization.

2. Revise Your Retention Tactics

Maintaining a stable workforce is just as critical as recruiting new talent. To improve retention, healthcare organizations can implement the following strategies:

Workplace Culture and Support: Promoting a positive workplace culture that focuses on employee well-being, work-life balance, and support systems (including mentorship, peer support, and stress management resources) can significantly reduce burnout and enhance job satisfaction.
Employee Recognition and Incentives: Recognizing the hard work and dedication of healthcare professionals through awards, bonuses, and other incentives can improve morale and foster long-term loyalty to the organization.

Look at your turnover rates, the reasons for departures, and be honest with what you can provide to your people. The more you align with the needs of your people, the more you’ll see these numbers stabilize.

3. Hiring Solutions

To overcome understaffing, we encourage healthcare organizations to rethink their recruitment approaches.

Broadened Recruiting Efforts: Expanding recruitment campaigns to include underrepresented populations, as well as offering incentives to healthcare workers from different geographical regions, can help diversify and strengthen the workforce.
Temporary and Flexible Staffing: Partnering with staffing agencies (like us) and offering various flexible, part-time, or remote work options can provide immediate relief for understaffed areas while maintaining care standards.
International Recruitment: Recruiting healthcare professionals from overseas can be a viable solution, provided there are streamlined processes for licensure and cultural integration. Check out how Insight Global was able to do this!

Build Your Healthcare Teams with Insight Global

The consequences of the healthcare shortage are far-reaching, but the solutions can be just as widespread! Still stuck and needing a lifeline? Connect with us today to get started on resolving your healthcare shortage!