How COVID-19 reshaped the health care industry

Summary

In the ongoing pandemic, the healthcare sector continues to face challenges in hiring, with 37,000 jobs created in July alone. Janet Elkins, CEO of Icon Medical Networks, discusses the difficulty in finding talent due to burnout and the impact on future healthcare professionals. She highlights the importance of work-life balance and the rise of temporary staffing solutions like locum tenens to address this issue. Additionally, the urban-rural disparity in healthcare staffing is addressed, with innovative measures being taken to attract professionals to rural areas.

Takeaways

• 😷 The healthcare sector added 37,000 jobs in July, indicating a strong demand for healthcare workers despite the ongoing pandemic.
• 🔍 There is a significant challenge in finding the necessary talent within the healthcare space, with many workers feeling burnt out from the pandemic.
• 📈 Janet Elkin, CEO of Icon Medical Networks, anticipates an increase in healthcare job creation in August, reflecting the growing need for healthcare professionals.
• 🌐 Burnout is affecting not only current healthcare workers but also potentially the next generation of professionals, impacting the talent pipeline for the industry.
• 🏥 Healthcare is growing with new segments emerging, such as urgent care clinics, presenting opportunities for those interested in the field.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, there is a lot of opportunity in healthcare, and it's important to highlight the positive aspects of the profession to attract new talent.
• 🧘 Work-life balance is becoming a key factor for the next generation of healthcare professionals, influencing their career choices and preferences.
• 🔄 The rise of locum tenens firms, which provide temporary staffing for physicians, reflects the desire for flexibility in work schedules among healthcare workers.
• 🏞 There is a disparity in healthcare staffing between urban and rural areas, with rural regions facing a shortage of professionals and longer travel times to access care.
• 💡 Icon Medical Networks is addressing the rural healthcare staffing issue by offering incentives like stock options to attract healthcare providers to underserved areas.
• 📊 The fields with the most hiring in healthcare include hospitals, especially with the rise of the Delta variant and increased hospitalizations, as well as ambulatory and surgical centers due to postponed procedures.

Q & A

What is the current status of the healthcare job market according to the July jobs report?

The July jobs report indicates that the healthcare space created 37,000 jobs, suggesting a strong demand for hiring in the sector.

Is it challenging to find talent in the healthcare sector as per Janet Elkin's perspective?

Yes, according to Janet Elkin, CEO of healthcare staffing company Icon Medical Networks, it is getting extraordinarily difficult to find the talent needed in healthcare, partly due to a shortage of healthcare workers and burnout from the pandemic.

What does Janet Elkin anticipate for the healthcare job market in August?

Janet Elkin expects that the number of jobs created in the healthcare sector in August may even go up, reflecting an ongoing demand for healthcare workers.

How is the pandemic affecting healthcare workers and their willingness to work?

The pandemic has led to burnout among healthcare workers, with many working long hours in high-stress environments like emergency rooms, which may affect their willingness to continue in the field.

Is the burnout among healthcare professionals impacting the interest of future healthcare professionals?

While the burnout is a concern, there is still interest among the next generation to get involved in healthcare, but they are seeking a better work-life balance.

What changes have occurred in the healthcare sector in the last 15 years that present new opportunities?

In the last 15 years, new segments in healthcare have emerged, such as urgent care clinics, presenting new opportunities for professionals in the field.

What is a locum's firm and how does it address the current needs in the healthcare sector?

A locum's firm provides temporary staffing for physicians, which is seeing a rise in demand as more healthcare professionals seek flexibility and a better work-life balance.

How is the disparity between urban and rural healthcare staffing being addressed?

Companies like Icon Medical Networks are offering incentives such as stock options to healthcare providers to encourage them to work in less attractive rural facilities.

What are the main areas of healthcare experiencing an increased demand for professionals?

Hospitals are at the forefront due to increased hospitalizations from the delta variant, but there is also a rise in demand for ambulatory and surgery centers as people return for postponed procedures.

What impact has the delta variant had on healthcare staffing needs?

The delta variant has led to increased hospitalizations, particularly in southern states, creating a higher demand for healthcare professionals in hospitals and related facilities.

How are healthcare staffing companies adapting to the changing landscape of healthcare work?

Healthcare staffing companies are adapting by offering flexible work options and incentives to attract and retain healthcare professionals, especially in response to the desire for work-life balance.