How Medical Staffing Has Changed the Health Industry
In this article, we will talk about how the changing landscape of the healthcare industry has changed the role of medical staffing. We will cover the cost, access to specialists, upskilling, and digitalization. The future of health care is fast-paced, and the staffing industry needs to keep up.
Cost
Healthcare facilities need to hire temporary staff from time to time, so they need to have a plan for the cost of medical staffing. A vendor management system helps the facility manage the process of ordering temporary personnel. It eliminates the need for paper timesheets and streamlines requests to multiple vendors. Additionally, this system offers real-time reports on the costs of the various staffing options.
Hospitals and medical practices struggle with a constrained labor supply, adding financial pressures to their operations. They have invested in recruiting and retaining staff, but reimbursement rates must be kept up with their investments. Additionally, medical inflation is rising faster than reimbursement rates. One study by Avalere compared the inflationary adjustments for Medicare Fee-for-Service, Medicare Advantage, and commercial staffing.
Access to specialists
There are a variety of factors that may decrease access to specialists. Managed care policies, including gatekeeping, can restrict the direct access to specialists. They can also limit the referral of patients by primary physicians. Several studies have found a connection between managed care policies and reduced specialist access. While the exact cause of decreased access to specialists is unclear, managed care policies and gatekeeping are associated with reduced referrals.
Health systems typically pay specialists fee-for-service, incentivizing them to perform more billable services while limiting their ability to unbundle care. Unbundling care requires specialists to shift to alternative payment models.
Digitalization
Digitalization is changing the way healthcare professionals are employed. New healthcare technologies are making it possible for patients to get help from doctors anytime, without the hassle of making an appointment. They can even ask questions through mobile devices. This helps improve patient trust and confidence. It also reduces physician workload.
While digitization has affected nearly every industry, it has been particularly pronounced in healthcare. By 2023, organizations that have gone digital are projected to generate $53.3 trillion in global GDP. From businesses to everyday needs, more activities and processes are moving online. The health industry is no different. This is causing the staffing needs to change as well.
Increasing digital literacy among patients is another critical challenge. There are issues around privacy and security, especially when it comes to genetic testing. Additionally, there are ethical concerns that must be addressed. These concerns may arise when employers or insurers want to access the results of genetic tests. Moreover, medical devices can be hacked.
Upskilling
Upskilling medical staff is a crucial part of the health industry. It helps organizations reduce the time and money required to train new employees and replace those not up to par. It also helps employees stay in the company for longer by enhancing their skills in their current position.
As digital technologies become more advanced, upskilling workers becomes more critical. New healthcare technologies, such as artificial intelligence, require workers with more knowledge and skills to help make use of them. And a growing number of healthcare facilities are integrating artificial intelligence into their care.
Upskilling medical staffing professionals help employers and healthcare organizations meet the evolving needs of patients. It also helps them navigate the complex regulations and credentialing requirements. In addition, upskilling medical professionals keep them compliant and qualified. This means that healthcare workers are better equipped to provide better care to patients.