As per the US Department of Health and Human Services, there would be a physician shortfall of 90,000 by 2025. The forecast is for provider burnout. This will cause physicians to leave practice or abandon medicine entirely. This exacerbates the financial strain associated with replacing a physician. Based upon the practice, this can range anywhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000. The Annals of Internal Medicine reports that physician burnout costs are close to $4.6 billion in the US.

Staffing Shortages in Healthcare

“State of the World’s Nursing Report” by WHO highlights a global shortfall of 10 million nurses. This means that the shortfall will outpace the inflow of new nurses. The situation does not look bright given the COVID-19 surge that is widening the staffing gap. One hospital system in Texas reported attrition of 25%. W. Stephen Love at Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council states that the workforce is tired. The nurses have been working hard for the past 18 and 19 months. Now the nurses cannot do it any longer. The extreme demand for healthcare services has put immense pressure on the providers. This is one of the root causes for staffing shortfalls as healthcare workers get sick and do not report to work. Moreover, they stay at home due to the stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 situation. Addressing the anxiety is one of the best ways to address the shortage of staff. A prepared and resilient workforce can then provide the highest quality care possible. Healthcare organizations can fix staffing issues by creating targeted solutions designed to prioritize the mental health of providers.

Distress Causing Distress

According to psychiatrist Jim Bolton, personnel shortages lead to even more stress, fueling a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. Overworked employees develop mental health problems, which contribute to staffing challenges. Staffing challenges then lead to overworked employees. This scenario exacerbates mental health difficulties and jeopardizes the well-being of our healthcare institutions.

If organizational leaders can reduce the levels of provider burnout, they can in turn

Catering to mental health issues enables a balance between job overload and stress-relieving activities. Studies have demonstrated that giving social support reduces stress levels. Stress and anxiety can decrease by addressing mental health needs. Staffing concerns improve when physicians and nurses get respite from their mental burdens. Mental health support ensures that nurses and physicians do not get energy depleted. Happy providers are thus able to cater to patients without taking any leaves. Supporting healthcare workers build resilient organizations that can then deliver exceptional care. Hence, effectively addressing mental health issues is a key step in overcoming staff shortages in healthcare. It is important to address this, especially during this pandemic.

Solution

The good news is that there is a comprehensive solution that addresses these needs. The Well-Being Index is a self-assessment tool. It can detect signs of stress and burnout in healthcare providers. The tool connects to a resource vault brimming with national resources. Healthcare personnel can even avoid burnout by seeking assessment early on. Hence it is a prophylactic tool as well. There are seven versions that cater to pharmacists, physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, residents and fellows, medical students, and employees. The tool can be used by businesses as well as individuals The instrument measures six key dimensions that are critical for provider well-being. These include the following areas:

1. Meaning in work – staying engaged and feeling fulfilled while caring for patients
2. Severe fatigue – a constant state of weariness and feeling run down
3. Quality of life – overall well-being including mental quality
4. Likelihood of burnout – due to chronic job-related stress included excess workload
5. Work-life integration – synergy with all the different life aspects
6. Suicidal ideation – a serious public health issue that needs to be monitored and controlled

The Well-Being Index is an all-in-one online tool developed by Mayo Clinic to assist people at risk of burnout. The tool also connects them to national resources that can help them avoid burnout. Over 600 businesses have used the product on a continual basis. Organizations have used the Well-Being Index to conduct over 230,000 assessments. Industry leaders use this application to track physician burnout. The tool uses evidence-based research. It enables comparisons with the peer group and national average. Participants can complete the survey in about a minute. The report includes scores as well as comparisons with peer performance. This tool has become a lifelong tool for many healthcare facilities. Practices and hospitals are using it to track progress and plan for improvement.

What sets the Well-Being Index apart is that it is not only a measurement tool. It gives resources to help individuals achieve a higher degree of wellness. By catering to provider well-being, staffing issues also decline. This allows providers to focus on what they do best: patient care and improving health outcomes. By preventing physician burnout, staffing shortages are over once and for all. Happy and engaged providers will ensure a vibrant healthcare environment too.

It is time to provide the support that your providers deserve. Take advantage of the evidence-based Well-Being Index tool. Join the 800+ healthcare organizations that are reaping the benefits of this tool. Visit the Well-Being Index to learn more about how you can take control of your well-being today. All you need to do is to log in and take the poll. In less than a minute you will get a detailed report with action steps. The tool ensures 100% privacy and provides tailored resources. To schedule a quick demo, call 507.289.2229 today.