Addressing the Healthcare Labor Shortage: 4 Actionable Tips

The current healthcare labor shortage has been a widely discussed issue not just among industry experts but also among patients, ordinary citizens, and even lawmakers. However, despite the attention it has received, the situation persists and is expected to worsen in the coming years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) forecast, the healthcare industry will face a shortage of approximately 10 million healthcare workers by 2030. 

In this article we will provide you with four actionable tips for your healthcare agency to alleviate this pressing issue.

Labor Shortages in Healthcare Overview

The healthcare sector has been grappling with a labor shortage for several years for various reasons. These reasons include low wages, limited opportunities for career growth, and poor working conditions. Additionally, the increasing number of aging healthcare staff approaching retirement age and the shortage of new professionals to replace them further intensify the problem.

According to this study, by 2026, more than 6.5 million healthcare workers in the U.S. are expected to leave their positions, but only 1.9 million new workers are projected to replace them. This implies that the country will face a shortage of about 4.6 million healthcare employees. 

How to Deal With Labor Shortage in the Healthcare Sector

Addressing the healthcare labor shortage is a complex challenge that requires sustained effort and a multifaceted approach. Here are four ways to address the healthcare labor shortage.

1. Support the Mental Health of Healthcare Staff

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, jobs in the health and social care sector may be more stressful than other occupations, regardless of gender. Healthcare workers need mental health support as much as, if not more than, other workers given the challenges they face on a daily basis. From long working hours to dealing with life-and-death situations, healthcare workers are under a tremendous amount of stress. When not addressed immediately, this stress can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, and other mental health-related issues.

Healthcare organizations must prioritize the mental health of their workers and provide them with the necessary support and resources to cope with the demands of their work. Some of the support and resources they can offer include mental health breaks, and access to counselling, services and training programs to manage stress. Through such initiatives, the healthcare industry can promote the well-being of healthcare professionals, encourage them to stay in the field and attract new professionals.

2. Improve Leadership

In case you missed it, this study's findings suggest that the ultimate goal for nurse retention initiatives is to steer clear of toxic leadership behaviours. In many workplaces, including healthcare organizations, toxic leadership can be detrimental to employee morale, satisfaction, retention, and acquisition. 

While eliminating toxic leadership may seem like a daunting task, it is not impossible. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by enforcing policies that prohibit bullying and harassment. Encouraging nurses and other healthcare professionals to take measures to protect themselves by reporting unprofessional conduct and seeking assistance from nursing leaders, colleagues, family members, and friends can also be helpful.

3. Appreciate Healthcare Workers and Compensate Their Hard Work Accordingly 

A recent study found that 73% of healthcare workers feel underpaid, while 59% feel unappreciated at their workplace. Although challenging to resolve, these issues could be mitigated by implementing improved compensation plans and effective workplace reward programs. This would ensure that healthcare workers are fairly compensated for their efforts and receive adequate appreciation and recognition for their contributions to the industry.

Healthcare institutions must ensure that their staff is paid in accordance with their country's pay standards. This not only promotes ethical practices but also enhances the job satisfaction of healthcare employees. As a report by MIT Sloan indicates, compensation is one of the significant predictors of job satisfaction among nurses in their current jobs. Furthermore, you can demonstrate your appreciation by providing paid leaves and incentives or sending personalized gifts and notes to recognize their hard work and dedication.

4. Utilize Technology to Ease Burnout 

According to a report on Medscape's survey, in 2023, 53% of physicians reported experiencing burnout. In 2024, this percentage decreased to 49%. Despite the downward trend, it is clear that physicians are still experiencing burnout. Meanwhile, nurses share the same sentiment as an American Nurses Foundation survey reveals that 56% of nurses reported experiencing burnout. 

Burnout is one of the direct effects of the challenges in labor shortages in healthcare organizations. While many institutions aim to steer clear of burnout, it can take a considerable amount of time to address this issue, leaving healthcare professionals susceptible to continued burnout due to the lack of workers and increased workloads. Thankfully, there are now available healthcare technologies that can reduce this burden. 

An example of beneficial technologies that can be integrated into healthcare today is the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which can securely transmit information to healthcare IT systems via the Internet, reducing the need to transfer patient data physically. Telehealth and telemedicine are also noteworthy technologies that offer healthcare services through telecommunications and digital communication technologies such as live video conferencing, mobile health apps, and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). These not only help in faster diagnosis or delivery of care but also ease the burnout of healthcare workers. 

For more details on digital health solutions, you may access this blog post on how digital health solutions are reshaping the modern healthcare landscape.

Improve Workforce Efficiency During the Global Healthcare Labor Shortage With StaffConnect

Apart from digital health solutions, healthcare organizations also need to consider business and staff management tools like StaffConnect to improve their workforce efficiency amidst the labor shortages in healthcare.

StaffConnect is an innovative business and staff management software built for healthcare staffing agencies. It's crafted to enhance the management of staff, streamline routine processes, and foster a more positive workplace atmosphere. StaffConnect brings to healthcare professionals a suite of engaging features including a centralized communication hub and live chat, detailed shift scheduling, a comprehensive database, convenient GPS-based check-in and check-out capabilities, and much more.

If you want to reduce the impact of the healthcare shortage on your business, StaffConnect is here to help! Visit our website today to schedule a free demo and see for yourself how we can help you.