Hospital Staffing Trends

Demographic trends may alter hospital staffing.
Modern Healthcare (1/28, Carlson) reports, "Despite all the ongoing efforts to expand the healthcare workforce, industry experts say it's time for employers to realize that demographic trends are not going to allow them to maintain their existing staffing patterns in coming decades, according to a new American Hospital Association study." Data indicate that "if current trends persist," there will be a shortage of "109,600 physicians by 2020, and...260,000 full-time-equivalent nurse positions by 2025." The report "says hospitals need to find ways to retain their existing workforces while attracting newly educated workers." The authors call on hospitals and health systems "to rapidly implement these strategies, learn early implementation insights, and share successful practices."