By Sarah M. Worthy, CEO and Co-Founder of DoorSpace

The US healthcare system is facing a crisis as it struggles to cope with increasing clinician turnover rates. In an attempt to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, the system has been cutting corners and fast-tracking physician and nurse training programs. However, this approach is proving to be perilous, as it compromises patient safety and has put the system on the brink of collapse.

The Joint Commission's 2023 annual report on "sentinel events," which are patient safety breaches that can result in serious harm or death, has sounded the alarm with shocking statistics. The report reveals that such events surged by a staggering 78.1% from 2020 to 2021 and further increased by 19.3% from 2021 to 2022. These alarming figures signify a dire situation and point to the urgent need for reform in the US healthcare system.

One of the primary reasons behind these concerning trends is the rush to create new physicians and nurses in training programs, aiming to deploy them to treat patients faster. While the intention may be to meet the growing demand for healthcare services, this practice comes at the expense of adequate training and mentorship for these inexperienced medical professionals, leading to suboptimal patient care.

Healthcare leadership must recognize the importance of investing in their clinical talent and employee experience. Instead of pursuing a system that churns out inadequately trained physicians and nurses, there needs to be an emphasis on retaining and continuously developing the clinical workforce.

The current model leaves doctors and nurses overworked and understaffed, leading to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. Overburdened healthcare professionals are more likely to make mistakes, which can have severe consequences for patient outcomes. By addressing these issues and focusing on providing proper support and training, healthcare institutions can foster a work environment that promotes patient safety and ensures better quality care.

Innovation in managing the healthcare workforce is essential. It involves implementing strategies that prioritize the well-being of doctors and nurses, such as reasonable work hours, manageable patient loads, and access to mental health support. Additionally, offering personalized support and opportunities for continuous professional development can improve job satisfaction and retention rates among clinical staff.

Investing in the employee experience can have a profound impact on patient outcomes. Studies have shown that satisfied and engaged healthcare professionals are more likely to deliver high-quality care, resulting in better patient experiences and improved health outcomes. By recognizing the interconnectedness of employee satisfaction and patient care, healthcare leadership can create a virtuous cycle of improved performance.

As the US healthcare system faces dangerous highs in preventable fatal flaws, the time to act is now. The surge in sentinel events is a clear indication that the current approach to training and managing the clinical workforce is unsustainable. Healthcare institutions must embrace innovation, prioritize the employee experience, and invest in the development and retention of their medical professionals. By doing so, they can safeguard patient safety, improve the quality of care, and ensure the resilience of the healthcare system in the face of future challenges.

Sarah M. Worthy is the CEO and founder of DoorSpace, a company that is transforming the way healthcare organizations retain and develop talent while solving critical turnover issues in the healthcare industry. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in the B2B technology and healthcare industries. Doorspace’s innovative technology “flips the script” on the question from “what makes people leave?” to “what makes people stay?”