SHSMD would like to facilitate conversations, resources and strategies for its members as the field experiences transitions and a need for implementation of workforce solutions. Please visit the AHA workforce homepage for a host of resources that you can use and customize for your community.
New Workforce Resources:
The below is a roundup of current news stories on the topic of workforce:
1. Poor Medical Workforce Diversity Harming Health Equity, Experience
About three-quarters of White patients have access to a doctor of the same race, but only one in five Black patients can say the same, a medical workforce diversity trend that researchers from the Urban Institute said is hampering health equity efforts. November 2020 research found that patients who speak Spanish as their preferred language said the patient intake process was hard, and other said they have to feign understanding of medical concepts.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN PATIENT ENGAGEMENT HIT.
2. How Can Hospitals Improve Staff Retention? Tech and Training, Experts Say
Despite the attrition, which has hit hospitals especially hard, experts are optimistic that if health care organizations cut down on pain points, prioritize staff well-being and improve people management, they can boost retention. Worries over the state of the American medical workforce has been a dominant theme at the HIMSS annual health care conference, overshadowing the typical futuristic discussions about the potential of technology in the industry.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN HEALTHCARE DIVE.
3. Purpose and Meaning Essential to Creating Joy in Health Care Workplaces
Health care worker burnout was a top concern for health systems, hospitals, and physician practices before the coronavirus pandemic, and it has reached crisis proportions during the public health emergency. Burnout continues to play a leading role in the widespread health care workforce shortages. Fostering meaning and purpose in staff members is the key to promoting joy in health care workplaces.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN HEALTHLEADERS.
4. Reinvention for Retention: How 4 Business Best Practices Might Solve Workforce Challenges in Health Care
The job market is tight. Workers are leaving to try new careers or jumping ship for better hours, pay and environments. Nowhere is the pinch more pronounced than healthcare. Healthcare employees are frontline workers facing amplified challenges during the pandemic, and they are burning out—or washing out—at a record pace.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN FORBES.
Learning More
- Coming up! Register now: SHSMD member meetup will take place on April 8 at Noon CT to tackle a crucual topic for health care, Building Public Trust and Confidence.
- Share your stories and communication plans on MySHSMD or email shsmd@aha.org to help other members along this journey.