COVID-19 has put extreme stress on the United States healthcare workforce, causing shortages and increasing fatigue, burnout, and trauma among healthcare workers. Unanswered questions are what the pandemic means to the healthcare workforce, as well as the patients they serve since it's extending on without end.
As a result of COVID-19, the country lost approximately 1.5 million healthcare jobs in the first two months as it shut down clinics and restricted non-emergency services at U.S. hospitals to contain the novel coronavirus. Despite the return of many of those jobs, the number of healthcare workers remains below pre-pandemic levels with a reduction of 176,000 workers compared to February 2020, according to the labor department.
COVID-19 has been exhausting and burnout-inducing for the healthcare workforce. One in three healthcare workers who remain said that they considered quitting during the pandemic. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which analyzes the physician workforce, the United States had nearly 20,000 fewer doctors than needed in 2019. The group estimates that by 2034, the gap could reach as many as 124,000 due to a lack of primary care doctors.
As reported by AAMC, Medscape, and Definitive Healthcare, nearly, 117,000 clinicians and 333,942 healthcare workers left the workforce in 2021. Several specialties reported 60% burnout rates and this number correlates with higher rates of physician loss. Currently, 45% of clinicians are older (>55 years). Hence, in the next 10 days, more than 40% of clinicians will become 65 or older.
According to National Nurses United, an organization that claims 175,000 members across the country, the majority of states have sufficient nurses to meet demand, but hospital staffing and safety policies discourage nurses from working in hospitals.
Some governors, including those in Alabama, Colorado, Maine, New York, and Wisconsin, are pushing for higher compensation for healthcare workers. There have been proposals to expand nurse education programs in Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. A proposal from Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, for example, proposes training more nurses and adding medical residency slots with millions of dollars. Eventually, he said, 1,300 more healthcare workers are to be hired.
COVID-19 has affected hospitals and health systems throughout the nation, and hospitals and health systems are taking action in many ways to help their communities. Despite the slow recovery of hospital volumes, patient acuity and demand have increased. Hospitals have had to incur significant costs in recruiting and retaining employees due to an increase in demand that has not been met by increases in staffing. In the meantime, physicians are fighting against compensation cuts with their employers and the Federal Government. Above all, the major shocking factor is the decision of care providers to make a change as they are unable to put up with the ever-rising demands.
The rise of new technologies makes it possible to be much more flexible when it comes to staffing as well. Here’s the staffing platform named ProLocums for physicians and Voysta for nurses and allied health professionals. They verify the qualifications of healthcare professionals and connect them to employers with open positions in healthcare.
Employers should develop long-term strategies for recruiting and retaining employees if the labor shortage is expected to persist for the next decade. To attract new applicants and create a strong pipeline of future employees, businesses should offer benefits like student loan repayment, referral bonuses, and subsidized housing.
Healthcare workers lost 1.5 million jobs because clinics and hospitals temporarily closed in April 2020 and postponed surgeries to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, multiple studies suggested.
While healthcare employment returned to pre-pandemic levels by the fall of 2020, it still lagged 2.7% behind. Between January 2019 and March 2020, 1.3% of physicians were either unemployed or left the labor force, according to the researchers. This increased to 1.6% by December 2020, then to 1.7% by October 2021.
Hence, many industry stakeholders will be looking for solutions as the healthcare staffing shortage continues. Multiple technologies and effective strategies can be adopted to curb the problem as well as many government initiatives can also help.
In the meantime, address your care facility staffing shortage by signing up ProLocums for hiring locum tenens physicians or Voysta for hiring nurses and allied health professionals.
Are you in search of a locum physician opportunity that will recognize your talents and capabilities? It can be invigorating to embrace fresh obstacles, but it’s crucial to analyze all facets of the assignment before making a commitment. Devoting time to ponder key inquiries about the job can offer clear insight and tranquility. By addressing these five fundamental questions prior to accepting a locum assignment, you can ensure that you are making the optimal choice for your personal and professional growth.
Before accepting any new locum assignment, it is important to assess how it will contribute to your career goals. Consider how the opportunity will allow you to acquire new skills, and valuable experience, or expand your professional network. Will it expose you to new treatment protocols, patient demographics, or healthcare technologies? Evaluating these factors will help you determine if the assignment aligns with your individual circumstances and professional aspirations.
As you prepare for a new locum physician assignment, reflect on how it will impact both your personal and professional development. Will it enable you to acquire new skills or deepen your knowledge in a specific area? Does it have the potential to push you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to embrace new responsibilities? On a personal level, will it give you the chance to explore a new city or meet new people? Weighing the pros and cons of the opportunity will help you assess its compatibility with your long-term career goals and overall life aspirations. For more guidance, you can also consult a locum healthcare agency.
Are there any factors related to safety that need to be considered? Will the nature of the work be particularly demanding or emotionally challenging? Are there any potential risks associated with the location, such as severe weather conditions or high crime rates? It is crucial to ask yourself these questions and thoroughly evaluate any potential risks before making a decision. By doing so, you can ensure that you are fully prepared and able to confidently assume your new role as a locum professional.
While some facilities offer comprehensive support, others may not. Take the time to inquire about the resources and assistance that will be provided to you throughout your assignment. Will there be colleagues or supervisors available to answer questions and provide guidance as needed? Will there be opportunities for training or professional development? These are critical factors to consider as you weigh your options and make an informed decision. You can even connect with your locum staffing agency for more information. Keep in mind that having some extra support can significantly contribute to a successful and fulfilling locum experience.
If you get a housing facility, it can save you money and time. However, if it is not, you will need to arrange your own accommodations. Be sure to consider the cost of housing in the area and whether it aligns with your budget. Additionally, think about the duration of your stay; if it is a short assignment, a hotel or temporary rental may suffice, but for a longer assignment, a more permanent option may be preferable. Regardless of your choice, prioritize comfort and security so that you can fully concentrate on your work.
In conclusion, by asking yourself these five crucial questions, you can discover the perfect locum position that caters to your individual needs and allows you to explore new prospects. Reach out to a reputed locum staffing agency like ProLocums today to gain further insight into how we can assist you in locating your next assignment!
Here at ProLocums, we comprehend the significance of finding the ideal match for both healthcare organizations and clinicians. That's why we offer a comprehensive array of staffing services, specifically designed to facilitate the identification of the right opportunity for everyone.
For healthcare organizations, we grant access to a global network of exceptionally skilled clinicians. For clinicians, we present a diverse range of locum and permanent vacancies at renowned healthcare organizations worldwide.
Whether you're embarking on your career or advancing to the next level, get in touch with the best locum healthcare agency like ProLocums to support you in achieving success.
09/20/2023
Patient satisfaction and positive referrals are critical components of any successful healthcare facility. One effective solution that medical facilities are adopting is the utilization of locum providers, also referred to as temporary healthcare professionals on contract, who fill staffing gaps.
In this blog post, we will explore the pivotal role that locum providers play in increasing patient satisfaction and generating more referrals.
We will also highlight key benefits of employing locum providers, such as improved access to care, consistent service levels, continuity of care, positive patient-provider interactions, and enhanced availability for urgent and after-hours care. You will also know why it is important to connect with a long term hospital staffing solution partner for locum provider hiring.
Incorporating locum providers into your healthcare facility offers the significant advantage of providing increased access to care. Temporary staffing solutions swiftly address gaps in your schedule caused by vacations, maternity leaves, or unexpected staff absences. This timely support ensures that patients do not face extensive wait times and can promptly receive medical attention. With more available appointment slots and shorter wait times, patients experience heightened satisfaction levels, leading to positive reviews and recommendations.
By utilizing locum providers, you can maintain high service levels at your medical facility, even during staff shortages. Consistency in patient care is crucial for building trust and loyalty. When patients know they can depend on your facility for exceptional care, regardless of staffing challenges, they are more likely to remain loyal and recommend your services to others. Locum providers provide seamless support, enabling your full-time staff to continue delivering excellent care without becoming overwhelmed.
Continuity of care is vital for patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes. When patients consistently see the same provider, it fosters trust and familiarity. However, staffing shortages can disrupt this continuity. With locum providers, you can ensure that patients receive care from qualified healthcare professionals while their regular providers are away. This continuity contributes to better patient experiences and reinforces the confidence patients have in your facility.
Temporary healthcare providers, known as locum providers, bring fresh perspectives and unique skills to your healthcare facility. Their presence can breathe new life into the workplace and foster a positive environment. These temporary providers are skilled in adapting to new settings and effectively connecting with patients. By improving patient-provider interactions, locum providers enable patients to feel heard, valued, and understood. These positive experiences lead to higher patient satisfaction and an increased likelihood of referring others to your facility.
Healthcare needs are not always bound by regular working hours. Patients may require urgent or after-hours care, and locum providers can be a vital resource during these critical times. Having additional healthcare professionals available for emergencies via a long term healthcare staffing agency ensures that your facility can promptly meet patient needs. This availability translates into patient satisfaction, as patients appreciate the ability to access quality care when it is most needed.
Addressing staffing shortages can be approached in various ways, and one solution is the utilization of locum physicians and specialists. Locum providers are temporary healthcare workers who enter into contracts with hospitals and other healthcare facilities to fill in for absent staff members. This arrangement benefits both parties: Hospitals can ensure adequate staffing, while locum care providers, nurses, and physicians can enjoy the flexibility of working on a contract basis.
Furthermore, locum care providers can facilitate a smooth transition when permanent staff members retire or leave their positions for other reasons. As the healthcare profession grapples with staffing challenges, locum providers will increasingly play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the necessary care.
In summary, integrating locum providers into your healthcare facility is a strategic choice that can have a notable effect on patient satisfaction and referrals. By utilizing these temporary healthcare professionals, you can improve access to care, uphold excellent service standards, guarantee consistent care, promote positive interactions between patients and providers, and offer increased availability for urgent and after-hours care.
ProLocums is here to serve as your trusted long term healthcare staffing agency partner, committed to assisting you in attaining the utmost patient satisfaction and delivering quality care. Get in touch with us today to discover the advantages of our long term hospital staffing solutions for your medical facility and community.
09/14/2023
The conclusion of the locum tenens contract holds equal importance to its initiation. Continuing communication with your consultant until the contract's end is crucial. As a provider, it is essential for you to provide feedback on your locum tenens assignments since recruiting consultants lack clinical experience. They hold no firsthand knowledge of working at the facility, but you do. Hence, they seek your input.
While consultants possess information regarding electronic medical records (EMR) and daily workload, they are eager to learn about your experience. Did the staff create a welcoming environment for you? Were you provided adequate guidance and support throughout your assignment? How was the onboarding process? Administrators provide consultants with details necessary for recruitment, but consultants also desire "hands-on" information about the facility that only working there can provide.
Unsure about which aspects to cover? Here are a few key points to discuss:
While you may have been in contact with your consultant regularly throughout your assignment, the end of the contract gives you the opportunity to evaluate the entire experience.
Some questions to consider when reflecting on your experience are:
As soon as you honestly answer these questions, you pave the way for your consultant to achieve success by effectively matching health facilities with the most suitable locum providers. Consultants can make wise decisions about future placements by knowing how the facility operates. A facility with too much negative feedback may discourage them from working with it, but a facility with enough positive feedback will be a hot commodity for locum providers.
During your temporary stay at the facility, it is evident that you had interactions with the staff. Reflecting on your experience, how would you characterize them? Did you find them friendly, competitive, or self-centered?
In addition to personal interactions, it is important to evaluate how the staff treated their patients. Were they slow or efficient? Were they motivated or grumpy? Were they readily available? Were there accessible specialists? Did the facility offer sufficient resources? If you encountered any negative comments from the staff, especially regarding the facility's operations and administration, now is the opportunity to inform your consultant about them.
Please provide any information that could potentially impact a future locum provider's ability to deliver excellent patient care. It is also crucial to share your observations on caseloads, high-demand services, and any other noteworthy clinical specifics that should be shared.
Navigating a new space isn't always easy when going solo. Assess the onboarding process and training/orientation offerings at the facility. Did they make it simple to acclimate? What could be done better for future locums? Is there a department dedicated to onboarding and instruction? Asking these questions will assist your consultant in prepping other locums headed to the same place.
If you took a locum job assignment through a healthcare staffing agency such as ProLocums, you may have had an intimate relationship with a recruiting consultant throughout the pre-employment process and assignment. Your consultant likely helped you search for a position, submit credentialing or licensing paperwork, and organized your travel accommodations. Now is the chance to share your overall experience with us. How did they handle communications? Were all of your requirements met? Is there anything else that could improve your experience on future assignments? We value your honesty in this area; it's essential to learn how we can do better and provide better service.
In addition to helping your consultant understand the client's situation better, it also allows them to provide more information to other potential care providers. As we strive to achieve the highest level of service possible, we are grateful for the feedback we receive from our providers, including those who point out areas for improvement on our end. In case you need to provide any personal feedback or suggestions, get in touch with ProLocums, the best healthcare staffing agency in the U.S.
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