How to Survive This Year’s Physician Shortage
Dawn Pascale
The physician shortage has been a problem for years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the issue.
Healthcare facilities across the country need help finding physicians to meet the needs of their patients, which has resulted in longer wait times, lower-quality care, and higher costs.
If you need help to cope with the physician shortage, here are some tips to overcome it:
Leverage Telemedicine
One effective way to cope with the physician shortage is to leverage telemedicine. Telemedicine allows healthcare facilities to provide virtual patient visits, which can be a more efficient and cost-effective way to deliver care. Telemedicine can also help physicians work more efficiently, by allowing them to consult with patients remotely, thus reducing the need for in-person visits.
Implement Efficiency Measures
Implementing efficiency measures can be a great way to cope with the physician shortage. Healthcare facilities can implement standardized workflows, optimized scheduling, and improved communication to help physicians work more efficiently. These measures can help reduce the workload on physicians and improve their overall job satisfaction.
Prioritize Physician Well-Being
Physician burnout is a significant problem in the healthcare industry. Healthcare facilities can help mitigate the problem by prioritizing the health of their doctors and clinical staff. Providing resources and support for mental health and well-being, offering flexible scheduling, and providing opportunities for professional development are all ways to take care of your team.
Invest In Technology
Investing in technology can be a great way to cope with the physician shortage. Investing in tools and platforms can help automate routine tasks and reduce the workload on physicians. For example, electronic health records (EHRs) can help streamline documentation and record-keeping, while artificial intelligence (AI) can help diagnose conditions and provide treatment recommendations.
Offer Competitive Compensation
One of the most effective ways to attract and retain physicians is to offer competitive compensation. You can also provide incentives such as flexible scheduling, overtime opportunities and room for growth within your facility.
Engage with Medical Schools and Residency Programs
Engaging with medical schools and residency programs can be a great way to build relationships with future physicians and attract top talent. This recruiting effort can help build a pipeline of future physicians who are familiar with the facility and are more likely to choose to work there in the future.
Partner with a Locum Tenens Agency, Like MedSource Consultants
Partnering with a nationwide locum tenens agency can be a great way to cope with the physician shortage. A locum tenens agency like MedSource Consultants can provide temporary physicians to fill in gaps in coverage, which can help healthcare facilities maintain their level of care while they search for permanent physicians. Locum tenens physicians can also provide valuable expertise and experience, which can help improve the quality of care provided.
MedSource Consultants is the partnership you need to cope with the continuing physician shortage. You can call us at 1-800-575-2880 or contact us to start the conversation. We proudly serve healthcare facilities in Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; and beyond.