During the “Great Resignation” of 2021, droves of American workers left their
current roles for a variety of reasons and the healthcare industry was hard hit by this. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that approximately half a million workers left
the healthcare industry in the 21 months between February 2020 and November 2021
(Masson, 2021). There has been a staffing shortage in the healthcare industry for a while,
however, this was further perpetuated by the pandemic. Approximately 100,000
Americans turn 65 year old every day, which will result in a 50% increase in the total
population of Americans over the age of 65 by 2030 (Association of American Medical
Colleges, 2018). In a 2018 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges, it was
estimated that there would be a shortage of approximately 120,000 physicians by the year
2030 largely due in part to the aging population and thousands of physicians deciding to
retire (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2018). Additionally, roughly a third of
current physicians will turn 65 by 2030 and could potentially decide to retire further
exacerbating the current staffing shortage (Association of American Medical Colleges,
2018).
As we’ve learned this term, the American healthcare system is riddled with quality
concerns. Record high patient numbers and staggering resignations secondary to the
pandemic have had significant impacts on care delivery and efficiency (Bean & Masson,
2021). Despite established best practices, it can be difficult to appropriately address these
quality issues while simultaneously attempting to counteract staffing issues. A 2020 report
provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted a significant increase in
healthcare associated infections secondary to hospitals being unable to follow standard
infection control practices; prior to the pandemic, the rates of these infections had been
steadily decreasing (Bean & Masson, 2021). During the first six months of 2021, 569
sentinel events were reports to the Joint Commission compared to 437 events during the
first six months of 2020 (Bean & Masson, 2021). Another factor that has impacted
healthcare quality, primarily during the early stages of the pandemic was the limitations of
family visitations. Patient’s families play an active role in ensuring care coordination,
medication administration, communication and minimizing risks (Bean & Masson, 2021).
When family members are not allowed to visit their hospitalized loved ones, quality issues
that would have normally been identified and addressed may slip through the cracks. If
employees are overworked or burnt out they may be more likely to make mistakes
impacting patient privacy and security. While trying to counteract staffing shortages,
healthcare organizations may attempt to expedite hiring, which can have negative long
term effects. Fast tracking employees may lead to poor quality of care due to under
development of skills, and techniques. This can have significant financial ramifications,
impact employee morale, motivation, and retention.@
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References
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Association of American Medical Colleges. (2018, April 3).@Looming Doctor Shortage
Could Impact Patient Care. Retrieved
from@https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/looming-doctor-shortage-could-impact-
patient-care
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Bean, M., & Masson, G. (2021, October 4).@The less-discussed consequence of
Healthcare's labor shortage. Becker's Hospital Review. Retrieved
from@https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-safety-outcomes/the-less-
discussed-consequence-of-healthcare-s-labor-shortage.html
@
Masson, G. (2021, November 17).@About 1 in 5 healthcare workers have left medicine
since the pandemic began - here's why. Becker's Hospital Review. Retrieved
from@https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/about-1-in-5-healthcare-
workers-have-left-medicine-since-the-pandemic-began-here-s-why.html
