Executive Summary
As a result of increased budgetary funding for healthcare, the United States is now one of the countries with the greatest outlays for medical services globally. The healthcare system faces enormous management issues that restrict the quality and accessibility of care while raising prices, notwithstanding the significant spending and legislative improvements. Along with an increase in the share of uninsured persons, the medical system is suffering from a severe staff shortage. The ratio of doctors to patients has been continuously declining, which has led to a decrease in the standard of medical care. The inability of organizations to provide the necessary care to the constantly expanding patient population is further hampered by financial issues. Even though patient demands are continually changing as new illness patterns appear, healthcare institutions lack the funding necessary to implement efficient strategies for providing acceptable services. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed to solve some of the issues, but the current administration’s restrictions make it challenging to implement. Although the policy was intended to address issues like accessibility concerns, there are several obstacles that prevent this from happening. The lack of racial diversity in the workforce suggests that some groups may experience barriers to receiving high-quality medical treatment. A negligible increase in the diversity of the healthcare workforce has been observed as the ethnic and racial makeup of the American population evolves. To combat pandemics like COVID-19, the study suggests expanding diversity in medical schools, creating a highly adaptable healthcare system, and using telehealth more frequently. Additionally, it says businesses should implement robust employee retention strategies to keep talent on board and set up responsible financial management systems to allocate resources effectively. In addition, the ACA needs to be implemented entirely to improve access to healthcare.
Introduction
The delivery of high-quality healthcare services depends greatly on using cutting-edge medical technology and the availability of qualified healthcare personnel in the healthcare sector, particularly the hospital sector. One of the issues the sector is dealing with is the high attrition rate of healthcare employees, which has resulted in a shortfall of almost 7.2 million healthcare workers worldwide and is projected to reach 12.9 million by 2035 (Haffajee & Mello, 2020). Patient treatment has been subpar, patient mortality has increased, and medical mistakes have grown due to hospitals’ scarcity of competent staff. Healthcare workers frequently leave their jobs for various reasons, including better pay, excellent working circumstances overseas, high levels of stress, increased workload, and decreased job satisfaction. As a result, it has allegedly caused a migration of healthcare professionals from underdeveloped nations to developed nations where their needs are satisfied. All hospitals are increasingly concerned about finding and keeping these knowledgeable professionals.
Current events in the United States point to underlying issues that impact the standard, cost, and accessibility of healthcare. The study by Fiscella & Sanders (2016) demonstrated that inequalities throughout the medical system affect the standard and accessibility of care. The inequities constrain the sector’s capacity to respond to urgent concerns affecting people. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, has highlighted the healthcare sector’s shortcomings in creating and implementing care plans to lower infection and fatality rates in the United States. While targeted quarantine and social segregation have been used to stop the spread of the disease, a lack of inter-jurisdictional coordination has resulted in the loss of many lives (Haffajee & Mello, 2020). A workforce capable of adapting healthcare strategies to meet the requirements of people in various locations is necessary for an efficient response to situations like COVID-19. The pandemic has demonstrated the dire need to accentuate how health crises affect low-income individuals and people of color. These two groups have been disproportionately damaged by the crisis, especially those living in underserved and poor locations. Thus, this disparity needs to be addressed by various legal projects, providing financial aid, and assessing the causes and ways of confronting said inequalities, ensuring equality in healthcare. Smith et al. (2020), claims that prior preparedness is necessary for caregivers to deliver efficient and secure services using technologies like telehealth during disasters. As seen by the response to COVID-19, The United States need to implement appropriate measures for expanding access to healthcare to prevent the struggle of access to comprehensive care. Therefore, this article analyzes major reasons for healthcare workers’ exodus and how to retain them by providing recommendations.
Summary of the Research
The administration of the US healthcare system continues to have an impact on the standard of medical care. Many people currently experience difficulties receiving care and accessing it due to the current shortage of skilled providers. Demographic changes significantly impact staff shortages in the United States. Kirch & Petelle (2017), claim that as the share of elderly people increases, the nation’s population has increased over time. The number of experts entering the medical field has been falling, nevertheless. The healthcare industry’s high personnel turnover rate exacerbates the shortage of qualified professionals (Lopes et al., 2017). Policymakers should create effective programs to increase the number of qualified physicians in response to the growing patient population to improve healthcare provisions.
Additionally, a high percentage of uninsured people suggests that many people face financial barriers to accessing high-quality medication. Since the government no longer provides low-income individuals with subsidies to improve medical coverage, eliminating the Affordable Care Act’s cost-sharing plan has increased medical insurance premiums (McIntyre & Song, 2019). Due to the cost of private insurance for those who are not eligible for government-sponsored programs, it is implied that socioeconomic status affects access to care. Many low-income Americans cannot afford healthcare services if they do not have access to inexpensive insurance.
Critical issues facing the American healthcare system include racial inequities and budgetary difficulties. Family doctors and general practitioners make up 75% of the population, while Black and Hispanic patients make up 5.8% and 5.7% of the population, respectively (Xierali & Nivet, 2018). Financial difficulties also impact the standard of treatment the American healthcare system provides. According to Burnett et al. (2016), disputes with insurers and pharmaceutical companies make it harder for medical institutions to deliver quality care in a setting with few resources. By increasing the percentage of minorities in the workforce and easing the financial burdens, the quality of services in the healthcare system can be significantly improved.
Research Conclusion and Recommendations
Technology in the Healthcare System
Increased use of contemporary technology to provide services can help alleviate some of the healthcare system’s problems. For instance, telemedicine plays a crucial role in the provision of medical care to a large number of people. It helps to reduce the adverse effects of staff shortages on service accessibility. The lack of medical personnel makes it difficult for the healthcare system to provide for the demands of the vast number of affected people as the government battles the current COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has a critical role in limiting the spread of the illness, according to Smith et al. (2020). Medical practitioners may advise millions of people regardless of location because of technology. To improve access to medical treatments, caregivers can track the health status of patients in rural or disadvantaged areas. Additionally, social isolation has been emphasized as a crucial tactic for halting the development of COVID-19 (Smith et al., 2020).
Telemedicine is a valuable opportunity for remote services and medical care in case of serious disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for this means of service. Telehealth can make healthcare more accessible without the necessity to travel anywhere. Organizations should use informative technologies more frequently (Haleem et al., 2021). That way, various accessible applications that assess the patient’s needs will be created and provide aid in cases of a crisis similar to the pandemic.
Physicians can see patients, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing diseases, through telehealth without raising the risk of infection by direct physical contact. As a result, the American healthcare system should make better use of technology to address issues with staffing shortages and better handle the current COVID-19 situation.
Flexibility of the Healthcare System
A highly adaptive healthcare system is essential for overcoming obstacles like budgetary limitations. The United States should support the inclusion of feedback from interested stakeholders into efficient regulations to create a flexible medical business. For instance, healthcare plans that address people’s urgent needs can be created using doctors who work with minority groups. To ease financial issues in the medical industry, the move will increase the distribution of resources to crucial plans. According to Tam (2020), flexible healthcare systems have solid cross-sectoral ties that help decision-makers better understand the unique requirements of various patient groups. One strategy to guarantee that organizations can effectively use limited resources to address new healthcare concerns is to develop flexible governance structures in the healthcare sector.
Diversity in Medical Schools
To reduce inequities in access to high-quality healthcare, the government should take proactive steps to guarantee that minority groups are well represented in the healthcare workforce. Racial diversity in medical schools is one of the tactics that can be used to improve equity in the workforce. Training schools must devote more funds to admitting more students from underrepresented communities in the healthcare system. Additionally, more work must be put into encouraging students to finish their educational degrees (Vick et al., 2018).
Racial/ethnic diversity is another complication in present-day healthcare, as people of color struggle with accessing the necessary services due to inequality. To overcome this problem, federal governments can provide medical students of color with the necessary financial aid (Wilbur et al., 2020). The Affordable Care Act can also contribute to resolving the issue, as it encourages healthcare workers to work in underserved areas and ensures cultural sensitivity. That way, the unjust racial disparity in healthcare may eventually be decreased.
The United States government will create a diversified healthcare workforce that can provide culturally competent services by fostering the training of people from many racial and ethnic groupings. According to data, racial and ethnic diversity in the US is increasing as the population rises (Xierali & Nivet, 2018). Institutions can better provide patients with higher-quality, more diverse healthcare interventions with diverse personnel. Therefore, significant changes in medical education are necessary to improve the ability of the healthcare sector to cater to the demands of patients from various cultural backgrounds.
Leadership Training for Healthcare Administrators
Along with increasing diversity in medical schools, leadership training programs can give administrators the abilities and information needed to foster a supportive environment for providing culturally competent healthcare. Organizations should encourage multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to providing medical care if they want to provide high-quality services (Dauvrin & Lorant, 2015). Therefore, healthcare administrators must acquire leadership techniques that motivate employees to provide patients from all cultural backgrounds with effective treatment. Leaders can implement suitable mechanisms to ensure staff members work with clients to provide care sensitive to cultural differences. A culturally competent workforce might come from corporate policies that set expectations for behavior, claim Dauvrin & Lorant (2015). Healthcare professionals can agree on standards, but administrators and other influential individuals shape organizational behavior by taking steps to reinforce preferred traits. To increase administrators’ capacity to lead a diverse workforce and advance the provision of culturally competent care, pertinent training initiatives should include communication methods, role modeling, and social learning. Training programs can assist administrators in learning the importance of providing services tailored to each patient’s specific needs since strategic leadership is essential to delivering good medical care. Leadership training for medical system managers will enhance the implementation of policies that let caregivers concentrate on satisfying patients’ needs regardless of their culture.
Staff Retention and Motivation Plans
According to the research, a high staff turnover rate is one of the main causes of the growing staff deficit in the American healthcare system. Ineffective management, low compensation, or a lack of opportunity for advancement in the workplace are all factors that contribute to employee churn. Healthcare administrators and human resource managers should implement the necessary procedures to enhance working conditions and retain specialists in the field. Additionally, transformational leadership approaches can support managers in meeting staff needs and motivating them to achieve healthcare goals. Managers might, for instance, reward great employees for boosting job happiness while assisting underperforming teams in developing the skills necessary to flourish in their areas of expertise. Additionally, transformational leaders mentor their subordinates, which is crucial in motivating employees (Kaleem, 2016). Encouraging the transfer of talents between seasoned and recently hired workers gives subordinates chances to advance professionally. Additionally, achieving healthcare goals depends on the standard and accessibility of the resources needed for the various stages of therapy. Leaders should provide caregivers with enough tools to do their jobs effectively to reduce workplace stress. Competitive pay is also helpful in luring and keeping talent in all facets of the healthcare sector. Healthcare management should rely on effective employee inspiration strategies to keep staff and improve access to care.
Affordable Care Act
According to the report, many uninsured people cannot get adequate care because of their socioeconomic condition. The US government should fully execute the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to guarantee that those with low and middle incomes have access to insurance instead of restricting its reach. Administrative rules that prevent the full implementation of the ACA mean that medical insurance is only available in the US for a select group of affluent citizens. The government offers financial assistance to low-income organizations buying health insurance through the ACA. For instance, the rule expands Medicaid eligibility for people and households up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level and mandates that low-income individuals and families up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level be offered financial assistance to enroll in medical insurance (McIntyre & Song, 2019).
The ACA provides low-income families with the chance to have easier access to healthcare. However, the problem is that people with salaries above the federal poverty level limit can barely afford the necessary premiums (CAP, 2022). To address this issue, federal and state healthcare funding is increased by means of lowering the financially underprivileged individuals’ costs, involving reinsurance and financial assistance. Due to the reinsurance programs, states are and will be able to reduce the premiums and the government’s spending on tax credits.
The statute forbids insurers from creating coverage plans that discriminate against people based on their health. As a result, insurance firms cannot raise rates or disqualify those with underlying medical issues. To address issues with medical access related to people’s socioeconomic circumstances, the ACA should be adopted.
Financial Management
A key challenge in the existing system is healthcare facilities’ capacity to provide high-quality care with limited financial resources. Therefore, achieving the objectives of the medical industry requires effective financial management plans. In addition to receiving funding from the government, healthcare institutions can work with other parties to improve the quality of services, including non-governmental groups and commercial companies. To save costs associated with procuring necessary tools, organizations can, for example, appeal to volunteers to supply the contemporary equipment needed to increase access and quality of care. In addition, to make the best use of cash, caregivers must establish the proper priorities. Spending money on initiatives that have little bearing on patients’ well-being is a waste; instead, efforts should go toward solving pressing problems that hinder access to medication and high-quality care for various populations. The effects of financial restrictions on the American healthcare system can be minimized using effective resource allocation plans and collaborations.
Conclusion
It is difficult to manage retention in a company effectively. It requires in-depth research, a solid comprehension of the numerous tactics and techniques available, the capacity to implement retention plans and take lessons from their results, and detailed analysis. However, it is well worth the effort, considering how challenging it is to retain good people in the face of significant changes in the employment environment. All healthcare companies should place a high premium on retaining healthcare professionals. Profit suffers the greatest when an ordinary firm sheds workers, just as the health of every community is directly impacted by the healthcare sector’s resources, advice, and services. Consequently, the country’s community is susceptible to inadequate healthcare, medical blunders, and even death when the healthcare organization loses practitioners and staff members.
Recommendations
As a manager, give the healthcare staff members tasks that will help them develop to demonstrate your confidence in them. From the article, the following measures are highly recommended. First, increase Participation. Low employee engagement in the healthcare sector may be caused by various things, such as erratic scheduling, excessive overtime, hard workloads, and a lack of workplace flexibility. Even though some of these contributing elements could be inevitable, leadership can influence how well hospital staff members are engaged. Second, teamwork is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide a great patient experience. Individual healthcare professionals seldom ever perform services totally on their own. Team members must improve their communication skills to reduce mistakes, settle disputes, and clarify work assignments. Additionally, crucial communication between teams and the leadership is effective. Teams can better prioritize work and comprehend how their responsibilities fit into the wider hospital plan when leadership can properly communicate objectives and organizational goals. Additionally, open communication channels provide workers with contact points where they may go to get the answers to their queries.
Consequently, maintaining work happiness and engagement among your team is necessary for keeping excellent personnel, and pay is a key motivator. Competitive pay, incentives, and other perks are becoming increasingly crucial for worker retention as the healthcare sector expands and the need for excellent people rises. Leadership must balance the high cost of turnover with the expense of providing competitive remuneration.
In addition, invest money in healthcare workers for continuing growth and education. Healthcare professionals may benefit from ongoing learning and training to polish their technical and interpersonal skills, two components that are essential for providing patients with top-notch treatment, optimizing productivity at work, and creating a great work environment for everyone involved.
However, to ensure all the recommendations are implemented, as a manager, you should invite and listen to various stakeholders, have frequent formal and informal meetings to help identify areas that need rectification, involve teams in the implementation, and manage individual’s expectations about the change with care.
References
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