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In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, workforce challenges remain among the most pressing issues for executive leaders. From staffing shortages to burnout, the sector grapples with personnel obstacles that impact performance, patient care, and financial health.
“The combination of these challenges creates a workforce solutions problem that requires scale, service capabilities, technology, and expertise to tackle effectively,” Justin Tomlin, chief strategy officer of Staffency, said in a statement announcing Staffency’s merger with SimpliFi.
The Current State: Analyzing Workforce Trends
Staffing Shortages and Financial Pressures
Staffing shortages place significant pressure on healthcare organizations, especially rural hospitals strained by complex payment systems. Prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage plans rose to nearly 50 million in 2023—a 43.9 percent jump from 2020—creating administrative burdens.
Many organizations rely on costly temporary staffing, with some forced to reduce services. This increases stress on remaining staff, accelerating turnover.
Digital Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges
AI, robotics, and virtual reality are gradually being integrated into healthcare systems. However, this digital shift creates new skill demands.
Technological advancements often benefit high-profile medical specialists while leaving behind nurses, physiotherapists, midwives, radiographers, and other allied health professionals. This may widen workforce gaps if not addressed.
Remote Work Adaptations
The shift toward flexible work, accelerated by the pandemic, continues to shape workforce expectations. Research shows 43 percent of employees see remote options as a way to alleviate burnout. Organizations must balance flexibility with care requirements through hybrid models.
Strategic Approaches to Recruitment and Retention
Innovative Recruitment Pathways
“Earn-and-learn” programs combining education and training are gaining traction. The Iowa Healthcare Credentialing Grant shows recognition that traditional recruitment is insufficient.
Educational partnerships are also effective. CFOs at the HealthLeaders Exchange stressed supporting schools and consistent outreach to attract new talent.
Retention Best Practices
Research shows 93 percent of employers plan to maintain or expand well-being offerings for 2025. Effective retention strategies include:
– Competitive pay and flexibility-focused benefits
– Career advancement pathways
– Professional development opportunities
– Technology that eases administrative burdens
Successful organizations treat workforce investment as a strategic priority, not a cost center.
Addressing Burnout: Beyond Surface Solutions
Burnout is intensifying, with 62 percent of employees reporting higher stress in 2024. This affects well-being and productivity, with an estimated $183 billion in losses tied to stress.
Effective Well-Being Approaches
Top burnout mitigation strategies include:
– Adjusting workloads after burnout signs
– Paid time off, cited as most effective by half of employees
– Mental health resources
– Financial wellness programs
– Aligning culture with wellness policies
“When everyday behavior reinforces official policies, employees are more likely to take full advantage of mental health resources,” a SHRM report notes.
Future Outlook and Executive Recommendations
The healthcare workforce will continue to evolve, with several trends requiring attention:
– Skill transformation: digital literacy, telemedicine, cybersecurity
– Soft skill development: resilience, adaptability, ethics
– Technology integration: workforce solutions projected to grow from $9.05 billion in 2024 to $20.56 billion by 2033
Action Steps for Healthcare Leaders
1. Conduct a workforce vulnerability assessment
2. Develop tech road maps that reduce admin burdens
3. Create educational partnerships with job pathways
4. Monitor burnout with intervention triggers
5. Review compensation structures
6. Include wellness in leadership evaluations
Moving Forward
Organizations managing today’s healthcare workforce challenges best treat talent strategy with the same rigor as clinical or financial operations.
By combining workforce planning, technology, wellness, and culture, leaders can turn challenges into opportunities. Success will go to those with thoughtful, comprehensive strategies for their most valuable asset—their people.
This article was produced in partnership with GetGloby. Review our AI Standards here.
Source List:
1. Kaiser Family Foundation (2023). “Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Trends and Impacts.” Retrieved from https://southfloridahospitalnews.com/healthcare-staffing-shortages-and-the-impacts-on-provider-reimbursement/
2. Persistence Market Research (2024). “Workforce Management Market Forecast 2024-2033.” Retrieved from https://www.openpr.com/news/4044042/workforce-management-market-forecast-to-expand-from-usd-9-05
3. Philips & Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (2025). “AI in Healthcare: Do Not Forget About Allied Healthcare.” Published in AI Journal. Retrieved from https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/3442420-healthcares-hidden-workforce-left-behind-in-ai-revolution
4. Forbes (2025). “Employee Stress and Burnout Report.” Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2025/06/01/karoshi-the-unspoken-killer-that-can-end-your-career-and-life/
5. Business Group on Health (2025). “Employer Well-being Initiatives Survey.” Retrieved from https://www.hrdive.com/news/employers-plan-to-maintain-or-expand-well-being-offerings/749245/
6. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (2024). “Financial Wellness and Mental Health Support.” Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/enterprise-solutions/insights/how-to-support-mental-health-times-of-financial-uncertainty
7. HealthLeaders Media (2024). “CFO Exchange: Post-Pandemic Workforce Challenges.” Retrieved from https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/cfo/cfo-workforce-wrestle-post-pandemic-recruitment-retention-and-culture
8. Healthcare IT News (2024). “Technology Solutions for Europe’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/emea/tech-answer-europe-s-growing-healthcare-workforce-crisis
9. PRNewswire (2025). “Strategic Merger to Enhance Healthcare Workforce Solutions.” Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/staffency-a-totalmed-company-announces-merger-with-simplifi-to-enhance-workforce-solutions-302467507.html
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