When you think of a job, what are the key things you look for? A good-paying salary, health benefits, Paid Time Off and a 401k are probably the main checkpoints when looking for a job. These are all great things to consider and can oftentimes be the deciding factor if you have multiple offers on the table. However, times are changing and a salary and other corporate benefits are not the only things that will entice new applicants and encourage current employees to stay. Employee satisfaction, training and growth opportunities, and a healthy work environment are becoming some of the most important things people consider when thinking about their careers. Who wants to work in a toxic workplace where they are suffering through unsustainable schedules and overbearing workloads?
This is especially true for the healthcare system. One of the biggest issues facing the industry today is the rate of turnover and burnout physicians are experiencing on a daily basis. Studies show that physician burnout was highest during the pandemic, but numbers are still above average. Six in 10 doctors report feeling burnout both physically and mentally, and sometimes this leads to them quitting their jobs in search of something new or even leaving the industry altogether. Not only does this hurt the healthcare system as a whole, but when doctors continuously leave it puts patients’ health at risk.
This is not at the fault of the physicians who are leaving, but more directly reflects the healthcare system and its leaders. Far too often are frontline workers having to put on multiple hats and take on numerous tasks outside of their responsibilities. Their main goal should be to focus on patient health and a lot of times they are spending their shifts doing hours of paperwork and other managerial tasks. Not only does this overwhelm their workload, but it can decrease their sense of self-accomplishment and productivity.
“Clinicians are being overworked both on and off the frontlines. Their workloads are not just full of taking care of patients, but they also have to spend countless hours doing paperwork. No wonder they are feeling burnt out. They have virtually no break in their shifts to breathe or truly focus on their patients, because they are swamped with administrative tasks. Doctors and nurses have a huge weight on their shoulders and it’s time to take care of them,” says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.
It’s up to healthcare leaders to address these issues and make changes. Creating a healthy work environment where growth is prioritized can help physicians feel like they are living up to their full potential. Working in a place where they can ask questions, learn from more experienced employees, build connections with coworkers, all while having a work-life balance are the key ways to change workplace sentiment. Employees deserve to be taken care of because this will shine through in the care they are giving to their patients. It will also have direct effects on feelings of burnout and turnover, in a positive way.
“Instead of overworking them, it’s important to invest in technology or programs that will give them more time in their days. Why should they be spending hours on paperwork, when technology is advanced enough to do it for them? Just because clinicians are clocked in does not mean they have to do multiple jobs at once,” Worthy says.
A good salary might be what gets people to join a company or take on a new role, but having a healthy work environment that prioritizes employees professionally and personally is what will encourage them to stay. Long gone are the days of employees putting up with unsustainable work schedules and overbearing workloads solely for a liveable wage. People are demanding the bare minimum which is to be taken care of mentally and emotionally as well.
This should not be too much of them to ask, because when employees are happy it will reflect off the organization. When it comes to the healthcare industry, patients will be taken care of and this will help the industry reach success on multiple levels. How can you redefine your work environment to prioritize the satisfaction of your employees?