Emerging Issues in Physician Workforce (Plenary Session)-Emerging Issues in Physician Workforce

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video discusses the issue of workforce challenges in the healthcare industry, including physician shortages and the impact on patient experience and staff engagement. The panel emphasizes the need to address issues such as burnout, moral distress, employment models, private equity, and work-life balance expectations. The aging population, changing expectations, and distribution of physicians across specialties and regions contribute to the projected shortage of physicians. The panel highlights the decline in patient satisfaction and staff engagement, particularly among physicians, and stresses the importance of addressing respect, leadership actions, involvement in decision-making, recognition, and business practices to improve engagement. The changing landscape of the healthcare system, including the entry of multinational corporations and private equity firms, raises concerns about physician working conditions and patient care. The panel suggests that physicians reflect on their relationship with employers and advocate for their profession. The video also discusses the potential benefits of unions in empowering physicians and addressing working conditions, patient care, and professional autonomy. While unions are not a panacea, they are seen as a step towards advocating for better conditions and improved care. The panel encourages professional societies to support physicians as laborers and emphasizes the need for dialogue on empowering individuals and improving the healthcare work environment. The overall goal is to ensure quality care for patients and the well-being of healthcare providers.

Keywords

workforce challenges

physician shortages

patient experience

staff engagement

burnout

employment models

private equity

work-life balance expectations

aging population

shortage of physicians

patient satisfaction