Human Resources
Overcoming HR Hurdles in Health Care
The health care industry is a critical component of society. HR leaders in this industry are critical in meeting employee and patient needs. HR executives must handle several HR challenges in health care. Due to the important role of hospitals and other medical facilities, these challenges must be solved fast — sometimes, patients’ lives are at risk. More importantly, HR managers should develop and implement policies that help avert these HR challenges in the health care sector.
Introduction to HR Challenges in the Health Care Industry
Any organization’s greatest asset is its human resources. This is more true in the health care industry than in other sectors because many of the core duties of health care practitioners cannot be delegated. Remember, these individuals are responsible for other people’s lives. Meeting the needs of these medical professionals comes with challenges.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the health care sector will grow faster than the job market average, adding 1.8 million openings each year from 2022 to 2032. This growth is in response to the public’s increasing needs and demands. HR managers must ensure they get the right professionals for their organizations. Yet, the role of HR leaders in the health care industry goes beyond hiring.
HR leaders are also responsible for training, complying with regulations and meeting shareholders’ or owners’ expectations or targets. Often, human personnel managers face the challenges of tight budgets, complex regulations and inefficient processes.
Identifying Major HR Challenges in Health Care
Although there are many HR challenges in the health care sector, some require immediate attention from stakeholders. HR directors, managers or executives must address these challenges in their organizations:
Burnout Among Health Care Workers
Burnout is one of the biggest HR challenges in the health care sector. During the Covid-19 pandemic, 49% of American doctors reported burnout in 2020. In addition, one in four doctors showed symptoms of anxiety and high stress. Since the pandemic, burnout in health care workers is mostly attributed to the shortage of health care employees.
HR recruiters report that although some roles see many applicants, they can’t get even one qualified candidate for other openings. The solution for burnout lies in hiring enough qualified health care professionals to meet the needs of the organization and patients.
Recruitment and Staff Retention Strategies
The shortage of qualified candidates for specific hospital roles means high competition from companies attracting these unique talents. HR professionals who are responsible for recruiting competent health care workers must be more creative and adapt to new hiring methods. For example, some organizations partner with educational institutions and medical schools as part of their recruitment strategy. You can also outsource recruitment to Exude Human Capital for a smooth and stress-free hiring process.
The low supply of health care workers compared to their high demand does not favor hospitals and HR leaders. This mismatch of supply and demand means health care employees are constantly lured by other organizations with better perks and employment terms. The result is high turnover rates, which is one of the major HR issues in health care. To reduce high turnover rates, HR departments should:
- Create a conducive working environment for employees.
- Encourage open communication between employees and managers.
- Provide competitive salaries and benefits.
- Offer flexible working hours.
Implementing Diversity Hiring Practices
HR leaders face the challenge of implementing inclusion in their organizations. In an industry that is constantly under the scrutiny of the public and other stakeholders, this is one of the most sensitive HR challenges in the health care industry. However, some of the circumstances leading to these challenges are beyond the control of HR leaders.
Women dominate nursing, while physicians are predominantly men. The same challenge exists in increasing racial and ethnic diversity in health care. Health care diversity refers to the following characteristics:
- Ethnicity
- Race
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Language
- Physical abilities and disabilities
- Education
- Socioeconomic background
- Culture
- Political beliefs
- Religion
Diversity in the health care sector can lead to higher employee morale, better care for a diverse population and higher employee retention. Lack of diversity can lead to communication breakdown with patients. HR leaders can promote diversity by creating a welcoming environment, encouraging diverse applicants and addressing issues of bias.
Enhancing Employee Wellness Programs
Implementing employee wellness programs is one of the best methods of addressing the three biggest challenges in health care HR. These programs cater to your employees’ well-being as workers and as all-around individuals. For example, having a gym at the organization doesn’t make someone a better doctor or nurse but a fit and energetic individual. In addition, HR leaders should model systems and work schedules that allow employees to have a good work-life balance.
Navigating Compliance Challenges in Health Care HR
The health care sector is one of the most highly regulated industries. Most rules and regulations aim to protect patients and ensure no harm is done. The HR profession is also highly regulated. As such, any HR professional working in the health care sector must adhere to many rules and regulations.
As an HR leader, you must be familiar with these regulations in your profession and the health care industry. For example, you must know all the licensing rules for your staff. These rules may vary by state, and you may have to work with legal teams from different states to comply with regional requirements.
Leveraging Technology to Address HR Issues in Health Care
HR leaders can leverage emerging technologies to solve persisting HR challenges and empower their employees. For instance, digitizing patient records has made work easier for health care workers compared to manual recording. HR executives can also automate some of their repetitive tasks. Leveraging HR technologies such as Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) will maximize operational efficiency and workforce management.
How Can HR Challenges Be Overcome in Health Care?
We have only mentioned a few of the biggest challenges faced by health care HR professionals today. Additional HR issues that plague the industry include:
- Patient and employee safety
- Tight budgets or funding constraints
- Employee dissatisfaction
- Changing laws
- Clarity of expectations
- Resistance from health care workers
- Enhancing the employer’s brand
Each of these challenges requires specific approaches to address them. However, some solutions can solve multiple HR challenges. For example, technology can help:
- Make employees’ work easier and reduce burnout
- Address staffing shortages
- Implement electronic health records integrations
- Promote e-learning by staff
- Manage patient data securely
Automating your HR administrative tasks gives you more time to attend to your employees’ needs. Providing adequate employee training and development will also help you overcome some of the HR challenges in health care.
Why Choose Exude Human Capital
HR leaders cannot shy away from addressing the challenges they face in the health care sector, regardless of the magnitude of the problems. Proper guidance can help you implement the appropriate solution for each challenge. At Exude Human Capital, we help business leaders develop effective solutions for their companies and employees. Feel free to contact us for guidance on overcoming HR hurdles in health care.
