Making positive changes doesn’t always have to be stuck to a specific timeline. With only a few months left of 2024 you might be pushing off your goals until the next year. That’s totally understandable, but when it comes to the healthcare industry why wait? Making changes and advancements that sets employees up for success should be a no brainer, and waiting for the new year to make those changes is only putting patients’ lives at risk. The industry is already chaotic and busy, but implementing efficient changes could help cut back on this sentiment. Investing in technology, organizing internal processes and creating more sustainable work environments should not be put on hold. There are still a few months left of the year and it’s the perfect time to get started on a journey towards advancement.
One of the biggest issues plaguing the healthcare industry is the fact that employees are burnt out with nowhere to turn. Studies show that nearly 50% of physicians are feeling overwhelmed and overworked. Now this number is lower than in 2020 when the pandemic started, but these numbers are still higher than they should be. The reason burnout needs to be addressed is because it not only increases turnover within the organizations themselves, but it also harms employees physically and mentally. If employees are not feeling their best selves, how can they be the best at their jobs and take care of people who need help?
“Clinicians are being overworked both on and off the frontlines. Their workloads are not just full of taking care of patients, but they also have to spend countless hours doing paperwork. No wonder they are feeling burnt out. They have virtually no break in their shifts to breathe or truly focus on their patients, because they are swamped with administrative tasks. Doctors and nurses have a huge weight on their shoulders and it’s time to take care of them,” says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.
Burnout is an epidemic in itself. Healthcare organizations cannot afford an increase in burnout and turnover, and instead should invest in resources to help improve employee satisfaction. Clinicians all across the board are not solely responsible for their patients, but are also in charge of doing paperwork and other managerial tasks. Technology and other resources can help with this, so it’s important for the industry to research ways to cut down on employee workload.
When employees have more time in their days to take care of patients and themselves, then burnout will decrease and employees will feel more accomplished in their roles. When employees get overworked it often feels like they aren’t getting anything done. Not only does this harm the industry and patients’ health, but it impacts employees’ well-being and sense of accomplishment. Employee burnout is a nightmare, and it’s time for the industry to wake up and make positive changes a reality.
“Instead of overworking them, it’s important to invest in technology or programs that will give them more time in their days. Why should they be spending hours on paperwork, when technology is advanced enough to do it for them? Just because clinicians are clocked in does not mean they have to do multiple jobs at once,” says Worthy.
The healthcare industry can take a look at the frontlines and figure out how to create a smoother environment for both employees and patients. Investing in technology to minimize employee tasks, organizing processes to be more efficient and creating sustainable schedules will help increase productivity and retention.
Now this might seem like ambitious goals, and it could take some time, but there is no reason to continue holding off on making positive changes. If organizations continue to sit back and do nothing, then more employees will leave and the cycle continues. The new year is a good starting point for people to set goals, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. When employees and patients’ health is on the line, then there is no time like the present to start making changes that benefit people all around. Burnout is a silent killer, and it’s creating an epidemic throughout the healthcare industry. Making positive and efficient changes is the cure.