Here is a selection of recent studies focused on physician and nurse recruitment, electronic medical records and healthcare employment.
1. Large Medical Groups Relying on Part-Time Physicians. A survey indicated that in 2011, part-time physicians represented nearly one-quarter of the workforce in large medical groups, an increase from 13 percent in 2005. Of the one-quarter part-time physicians surveyed, 62 percent were male, which represents a threefold increase from 2005.
2. Nursing Shortage Over Until 2020, Researchers Say. A study published revealed that the number of nurses hired between 2005 and 2010 was the largest of any five-year period of time in the last 40 years, and the nursing profession will continue to grow to 109,000 full-time positions from 2010 to 2015. The nursing shortage in the U.S. is likely over until 2020, when a surge in the number of retirees will create a fresh wave of jobs.
3. One in Eight People Now Work in Healthcare. One in eight people now work in healthcare in the U.S., and the industry spends about $2.7 trillion each year, the report said. The industry is adding not just physicians and nurses, but also technicians, receptionists, insurance representatives and custodians, comprising an increasingly large chunk of society.
4. Higher Turnover Rates for Physician Assistants, Nurses Projected in 2012. The American Group Medical Association survey indicates that the turnover rate for nurses and physician assistants is 12.6 percent, which is more than twice the amount of the 6 percent physician turnover rate. The survey also found that in the first two years following medical school, 14 percent of physicians will leave their places of employment, and the rate falls to 11 percent for physicians in their second and third years of employment.
5. Small Medical Practices Turn Increasingly to HIT. Small medical practices are switching over to electronic health records at a faster rate than medium and large groups, a survey says. However, the survey of 240,000 medical practices also revealed that overall EHR usage is still significantly lower in small practices (37 percent) than in bigger groups (77 percent).
6. Physician Shortage May Provoke Greater Use of Advanced Practitioners. The turnover rate for both nurse practitioners and physician assistants reported by the survey is 12.6 percent, which nearly doubles the combined, adjusted physician turnover rate of 6.0 percent. The combination of a projected physician shortage and high turnover reported for both nurse practitioners and physician assistants gives medical groups an incentive to use advanced practitioners to fill in the gaps in patient care.
7. Nurses More Committed to Jobs During Recession. The study found that nurses’ job commitment was strong despite no discernible increase in income or job satisfaction from 2006 to 2009. The study also projected, however, that RNs may begin looking for new positions and significantly increase staff turnover rates when the recession ends and the job market expands.
8. Electronic Health Records May Inflate, Not Decrease, Healthcare Costs. According to the study, physicians' access to computerized imaging results was associated with a 40 to 70 percent increased likelihood of an imaging test being ordered. Physicians able to view electronic lab tests were also more likely to order additional blood tests.
9. Physicians, Nurses Say HIT Cuts Costs and Improves Patient Care. Survey respondents believe HIT solutions are improving. Physicians and nurses cite the availability of more thorough information (85 percent), the accuracy of care delivered to patients (72 percent) and the ability to track follow-up care (68 percent) as top benefits. Nearly 40 percent of respondents feel that HIT enables them to maximize time spent with patients.
10. Not Enough HIT Staff to Meet Demands. Every sector of healthcare industry is currently looking to hire staff to assist with electronic health record implementation and data integration, according to a new PwC informatics report, but a lack of qualified, trained professionals poses a problem. As a result, some healthcare providers have sought out partnerships with local universities to train prospective employees.