Working in healthcare has many benefits: It’s an in-demand field (the industry is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031), and the work can be rewarding as you make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and their families. But you’re also likely to encounter certain challenges.
Read on to see the top concerns of healthcare employees in 2024—and discover what can be done to mitigate them.
1. Worker Burnout and Stress
According to research published in 2023, 49.9 percent of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout. Burnout can lead to:
- Reduced job satisfaction
- Mental and physical health issues
- Increased absenteeism
- Reduced productivity
- Lower quality of patient care
- Medical errors
- Reduced patient satisfaction
While system-wide change is needed to address healthcare worker burnout, you can help manage chronic workplace stress by:
- Practicing mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga
- Talking with a counselor, therapist, or other mental health professional
- Seeking peer support from your colleagues
- Engaging in social activities with family and friends
- Practicing good sleep habits
- Exercising regularly
- Getting fresh air during your lunch breaks
- Eating well-balanced meals
- Taking time for activities you enjoy, such as reading, watching movies, hiking, or playing with your kids
2. High Turnover Rates
According to recent data, 60 percent of healthcare workers plan to leave their jobs within the next five years, and 15 percent don’t anticipate staying in their current position for more than one year.
High turnover rates increase the burden on existing staff, impacting patient care and satisfaction. Some healthcare companies are addressing high turnover by:
- Prioritizing recruitment and retention strategies
- Addressing employees’ workloads and schedules (more information below)
- Ensuring fair pay based on market rates and cost of living
- Offering appropriate training and resources, such as electronic health record (EHR) training
3. Long Work Hours
Overnight shifts, twelve-hour workdays—these are just a couple of the scheduling hurdles healthcare providers face. According to a recent WHO study, working more than fifty-five hours a week directly correlates to serious health conditions like heart disease and stroke.
Consider advocating for work-life balance initiatives in your workplace, such as flexible work schedules and appropriate training, to help manage the negative effects of long work hours.
4. Workforce Shortages
With an aging population on the rise, more patients are regularly attending medical appointments, so there’s an increased need for healthcare workers. However, burnout and turnover rates are challenging healthcare organizations’ staffing efforts.
Healthcare providers and institutions are implementing a variety of strategies to combat workforce shortages, including expanding telemedicine, offering more attractive benefits to employees, and pushing for more Medicare-funded residency positions.
5. School Loan Debt
All across the country, student loan debt continues to be a major obstacle for healthcare workers. Many doctors, nurses, and others in the industry are not able to pay off their debt for years, making the stress of mounting bills a deterrent for entering this sector in the first place.
The average medical school debt is $202,453, and 73 percent of medical school graduates have student loan debt, owing four times more than other college graduates. The average nursing student loan debt is between $40,000 and $54,999.
If you’re facing significant student loans, consider looking into student loan forgiveness programs in your field.
6. Financial Pressures
While the median annual wage for technical occupations and healthcare practitioners (like physicians, registered nurses, and dental hygienists) is above average for all occupations ($77,760), the median annual wage for healthcare support occupations (such as occupational therapy assistants and personal care aides) is below average at $33,600 as of May 2022.
Lower salaries combined with inflation and student loan debt can make it difficult for healthcare workers to afford necessities like housing, food, healthcare costs, and transportation.
7. Too Little Patient-Provider Time
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, doctors spend 45 percent of their workdays using electronic health record (EHR) software both while providing patient care and during administrative time. This can affect productivity and the number of patients that providers can care for each day.
While it’s important for healthcare organizations to implement system-wide changes to reduce administrative burden, you can improve your administrative time by:
- Creating templates for repeated information
- Providing brief, precise notes on each patient interaction
- Having medical assistants help with documentation during each patient appointment
- Delegating administrative tasks to staff members with the appropriate training to handle them
- Talking with their organization’s IT staff or technology vendor to make streamlined changes to their EHR, such as alerts, templates, and login requirements
8. Organization Problems
Poor organizational structures lead to worker frustration in hospitals, clinics, and other institutions related to healthcare. This can stem from issues around increased cost, security, coding updates, disruptive technology, and overall inefficiencies.
As you navigate organizational challenges, it’s vital to ensure you’re part of a team that aligns with your values. If you’re searching for a new job or making a transition within your current organization, make sure you understand the culture and expectations of your new workplace environment.
9. Technology Roadblocks
The healthcare sector can be slow to adapt to rapidly changing, life-altering technology, often because of regulatory and compliance hurdles. Additionally, implementing new technology, such as EHR software, can affect productivity and stress among healthcare workers.
To improve patient care and employee satisfaction, ensure that your employer provides adequate training to employees as they implement new software. Advocate for investment in technology that streamlines administrative work and improves patient care and employee satisfaction.
There are pros and cons to working in any industry. A career in healthcare offers an opportunity to provide lifesaving care to patients and improve the lives of families and communities. By understanding the industry’s unique challenges, you can better position yourself to address and prevent these issues.
