1Addressing the Critical Need for a Sustainable Healthcare Workforce: An Exploration
of Workforce Challenges and Solutions
Samantha Powell
University of Phoenix
DOC/715: Doctoral Seminar I
Dr. Letha Williams
July 10, 2023
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Introduction
The healthcare workforce is a critical component of any healthcare system, playing a
vital role in delivering quality care and ensuring positive health outcomes for patients.
However, the healthcare workforce faces numerous challenges threatening its sustainability
and efficiency. These challenges include workforce shortages, burnout, skill gaps, and
inefficiencies (Rotenstein, Berwick & Cassel, 2022). These issues compromise patient care,
increase the workload on existing staff, and limit access to healthcare services, particularly in
underserved communities. A comprehensive examination of these challenges and evidencebased solutions is necessary to build a sustainable healthcare workforce capable of meeting
the population’s evolving needs and delivering optimal care. This study aims to fill the gaps
in the existing literature by conducting a comprehensive examination of the healthcare
workforce challenges and proposing evidence-based solutions. By exploring workforce
shortages, burnout, skill gaps, and inefficiencies, this research informs policymakers,
healthcare leaders, and educators of strategies for building a sustainable healthcare
workforce. Ultimately, the findings of this study will contribute to the development of
effective workforce policies, education programs, and management practices that can
enhance the resilience and performance of the healthcare workforce.
Background of the Problem
The healthcare industry faces significant challenges threatening the sustainability and
efficiency of the healthcare workforce. These challenges include workforce shortages,
burnout, skill gaps, and inefficiencies, which can compromise the quality of care and patient
outcomes (Vaisshalli et al., 2022). Despite the critical role of the healthcare workforce, there
is a lack of comprehensive research that explores the complexities of these challenges and
proposes evidence-based solutions. By addressing the challenges facing the healthcare
workforce and proposing evidence-based solutions, this study can contribute to developing a
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sustainable healthcare workforce that can meet the population’s evolving needs and deliver
optimal care. Several challenges pose significant threats to the stability and efficiency of the
healthcare workforce (Vaisshalli et al., 2022). A comprehensive review of the existing
literature highlights the following key areas of concern:
According to Willard-Grace et al. (2019), numerous regions and healthcare sectors
face a shortage of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health
professionals. These shortages are exacerbated by population growth, aging populations, and
geographic misdistribution of healthcare providers. The consequences of workforce shortages
include compromised patient care, increased workload on existing staff, and limited access to
healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Willard-Grace et al. (2019) also discovered that healthcare professionals are
confronted with demanding work environments, long hours, and high-stress levels,
contributing to burnout and job dissatisfaction. Burnout not only affects individual well-being
but also has detrimental effects on patient care and organizational outcomes. Understanding
the causes and consequences of burnout is crucial in developing interventions to support the
well-being and resilience of the healthcare workforce.
Rapid advancements in medical technology, evolving healthcare delivery models, and
changing patient demographics necessitate continuous skill development and training for
healthcare professionals (Atarodi & Atarodi, 2019). However, there are gaps in identifying
and addressing these evolving skill requirements. Bridging these gaps is essential to ensure
the healthcare workforce remains competent and adaptable to emerging healthcare trends and
technological advancements.
Optimal workforce utilization is essential for maximizing efficiency and productivity
in healthcare organizations. However, inefficiencies such as underutilization of skills,
inadequate task delegation, and ineffective workforce planning contribute to suboptimal
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healthcare delivery (Edem et al. 2017). Understanding the factors influencing
workforce utilization and identifying strategies for improving efficiency can lead to
better resource allocation and enhanced patient care.
The healthcare workforce faces numerous challenges that threaten its sustainability
and efficiency. These challenges include workforce shortages, burnout, skill gaps, and
inefficiencies (Vaisshalli et al., 2022). These issues compromise patient care, increase the
workload on existing staff, and limit access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved
communities. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, with new trends in healthcare
delivery models, policies, and financing emerging regularly (Atarodi & Atarodi, 2019).
Understanding these trends is essential in developing effective strategies for building a
sustainable healthcare workforce. Moreover, a sustainable healthcare workforce is critical in
achieving healthcare goals, such as improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs,
and addressing health disparities (Flaherty & Bartels, 2019). A sustainable healthcare
workforce can help ensure patients receive high-quality care, regardless of their
socioeconomic status or geographic location. Edem et al. (2017) also identified that a
sustainable healthcare workforce can help reduce healthcare costs by improving efficiency
and productivity in healthcare organizations.
The proposed evidence-based solutions can have a significant impact on the
healthcare workforce and the broader healthcare system. For example, solutions that address
workforce shortages can help ensure that patients have access to healthcare services,
particularly in underserved communities (Wright, et al., 2022). Solutions that address burnout
and job dissatisfaction can help improve the well-being and resilience of healthcare
professionals, leading to better patient care and organizational outcomes. Solutions that
address skill gaps and training needs can help ensure the healthcare workforce remains
competent and adaptable to emerging healthcare trends and technological advancements
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(Sarabi et al., 2020). Finally, solutions that address inefficient workforce utilization can help
maximize efficiency and productivity in healthcare organizations, leading to better resource
allocation and enhanced patient care.
When looking at sustainability in the healthcare workforce, it is important to
understand that healthcare workers have a great role in ensuring efficiency in the healthcare
environment. With a sustainable workforce, it is possible to enhance the quality of care and
improve healthcare services. According to Jaeger et al. (2018) solutions to these challenges
must also be made known to the healthcare providers to ensure they know the strategies to
improve healthcare quality. It is possible to achieve quality healthcare if workforce
challenges are addressed and worker’s needs are met within their working environment.
Problem Statement
The problem is that the healthcare industry faces numerous challenges that could
impair its functionality and effectiveness. As identified by numerous researchers, these
challenges can make achieving a sustainable healthcare workforce impossible. This calls for
identifying solutions that can be implemented in healthcare to help achieve a sustainable
workforce.
Purpose of the Study
This study aims to provide a clear analysis of challenges faced in the healthcare
industry that affect the ability to achieve a sustainable workforce. The study will also provide
solutions that will help address these challenges and maintain a sustainable healthcare
workforce.
Population
The population for this study encompasses a diverse group of healthcare professionals
employed across a range of healthcare settings. These settings may include hospitals, clinics,
and long-term care facilities, which collectively offer a comprehensive representation of the
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healthcare landscape. By including professionals from different environments, the study aims
to capture a broader perspective on the topic under investigation (Mishra & Alok, 2022). The
primary focus of this study is on healthcare professionals directly engaged in patient care.
This category includes physicians, who play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients,
nurses who provide compassionate care and support, and allied health professionals who
contribute their specialized expertise to the healthcare team. By including these specific
groups, the study aims to analyze the experiences, perspectives, and challenges faced by
individuals who regularly interact with patients. By examining the views and experiences of
healthcare professionals, the study intends to gain valuable insights into the dynamics of
patient care, quality improvement initiatives, and the overall functioning of healthcare
systems (Kaushik & Walsh, 2019). This research population represents a diverse range of
professionals with varying expertise and responsibilities, providing a rich dataset for analysis
and enabling the findings to be generalized to a larger population of healthcare professionals.
Sample
The sample for this study will focus on healthcare professionals employed at a large
urban hospital in the United States. This hospital setting offers a diverse and representative
sample, as urban hospitals typically serve a broad range of patients with varying medical
conditions and needs. By selecting this specific setting, the study aims to gather insights that
can be generalized to similar healthcare institutions nationwide. The sample will be selected
using a convenience sampling method, which involves recruiting participants based on their
accessibility and willingness to participate (Norman, et al., 2021). This method offers
practical advantages, such as ease of recruitment and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable
for this study’s scope and resources. To reach potential participants, email invitations will be
sent to healthcare professionals employed at the hospital. Additionally, flyers will be
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strategically posted within the hospital premises to increase visibility and encourage
participation.
To ensure the relevance and meaningfulness of the data collected, the study will
employ specific inclusion criteria. Healthcare professionals included in the sample must have
been working at the hospital for at least six months. This criterion ensures that participants
have gained sufficient experience and exposure to the hospital’s healthcare environment,
enabling them to provide valuable insights into their patient care experiences. Furthermore,
the inclusion criteria emphasize professionals directly involved in patient care, aligning with
the study’s primary focus on this specific group. By selecting a sample of healthcare
professionals from a large urban hospital, the study can capture a wide range of perspectives,
experiences, and challenges encountered in a bustling healthcare setting. The convenience
sampling method allows for efficient recruitment, facilitating the timely execution of the
study. Moreover, the inclusion criteria ensure that participants have substantial experience
and engagement in direct patient care, enhancing the study’s validity and the applicability of
its findings. However, it is important to acknowledge that the sample’s characteristics, such as
the specific urban hospital and its healthcare professionals, may limit the generalizability of
the study’s findings to other healthcare settings. Nonetheless, the insights gained from this
sample can still provide valuable information and serve as a basis for further research and
interventions within similar contexts.
Significance of the Study
The significance of this study lies in its unique approach to understanding and
addressing the challenges faced by healthcare professionals within a specific healthcare
setting. By focusing on a particular hospital, the study can provide a comprehensive
examination of the issues encountered by these professionals and offer evidence-based
solutions to mitigate these challenges. The findings of this study hold practical implications
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for improving the well-being and resilience of healthcare professionals. The healthcare
industry is known for its demanding and stressful nature, and healthcare professionals often
face burnout, compassion fatigue, and other psychological burdens (van Oers, 2021). By
identifying the specific challenges faced by professionals in this hospital setting,
interventions can be designed to target these issues directly. Implementing evidence-based
solutions that address these challenges can contribute to creating a healthier and more
supportive work environment, ultimately enhancing the overall well-being of healthcare
professionals.
Moreover, this study’s findings have the potential to improve patient care. By
understanding the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in delivering care,
interventions can be designed to enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient interactions.
Improved work conditions, reduced stress levels, and increased job satisfaction among
healthcare professionals can positively impact patient outcomes, fostering a more positive
healthcare experience for patients. Efficiency in healthcare delivery is another aspect that can
benefit from this study’s results. By identifying and addressing the challenges that hinder
efficiency in this specific healthcare setting, interventions can be developed to optimize
workflow, reduce administrative burdens, and streamline processes. Such improvements can
lead to more effective resource allocation, shorter wait times, and improved overall efficiency
in healthcare delivery. Furthermore, this study’s outcomes can contribute to the development
of a sustainable healthcare workforce. Understanding the challenges faced by healthcare
professionals in a specific setting can inform policy decisions and interventions aimed at
creating supportive environments and promoting retention within the profession. By
addressing these challenges, healthcare organizations can better attract, retain, and support
talented professionals, ensuring a sustainable and resilient healthcare workforce that can meet
the evolving needs of the population and deliver high-quality care. Ultimately, the study’s
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findings can make an original and practical contribution by informing policy decisions and
interventions in healthcare settings beyond the specific hospital being studied.
Nature of the Study
The nature of this study is a comprehensive examination of the challenges facing the
healthcare workforce and the proposal of evidence-based solutions. This study used a mixedmethods approach to its research, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques
(Lee, 2019). This approach allows for a holistic understanding of the complex issues facing
the healthcare workforce and comprehensively analyzes the challenges and potential
solutions. The qualitative component of the study involves conducting in-depth interviews
and focus groups with healthcare professionals, policymakers, healthcare leaders, and
educators. These qualitative data collection methods will provide valuable insights into the
healthcare workforce’s experiences, perspectives, and perceptions regarding workforce
shortages, burnout, skill gaps, and inefficiencies. Thematic analysis will examine the
qualitative data to find recurring themes and patterns.
The quantitative component of the study involves collecting and analyzing
quantitative data from surveys and existing databases. Surveys will be administered to
healthcare professionals to gather data on burnout levels, job satisfaction, and perceived skill
gaps. Existing databases will be utilized to gather data on workforce shortages and
inefficiencies. Statistical approaches will be used to analyze quantitative data to find patterns,
correlations, and linkages. The mixed-method approach is appropriate for addressing the
purpose of this study as it allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing
the healthcare workforce. By combining qualitative and quantitative data, this study can
provide a rich and nuanced analysis of the issues and propose evidence-based solutions. The
qualitative component allows for an in-depth exploration of the experiences and perspectives
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of healthcare professionals, while the quantitative component provides statistical evidence to
support the findings.
Mixed- Method Approach
The mixed-method sequential explanatory design was used for this study, among
other potential research designs. This approach calls for gathering and analyzing qualitative
data first, then gathering and analyzing quantitative data. This design is more appropriate
than other designs, such as concurrent or convergent designs, because it allows for a deeper
exploration of the healthcare workforce’s challenges before moving on to the quantitative
phase (Dawadi, Shrestha & Giri, 2021). By first conducting qualitative interviews and focus
groups, the researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues and use this
knowledge to inform the development of the quantitative survey. This sequential design also
integrates qualitative and quantitative findings, comprehensively analyzing the challenges
and potential solutions.
The proposed instrumentation for this study includes interview guides for qualitative
interviews and surveys for quantitative data collection. The interview guides will be
developed based on the research questions and will be used to guide the in-depth interviews
and focus groups. The surveys will gather quantitative data on burnout levels, job
satisfaction, and perceived skill gaps among healthcare professionals. The survey questions
will be developed based on established scales and validated instruments from previous
research studies. These instruments will ensure the reliability and validity of the data
collected. The survey will include questions about the participant’s demographic information,
such as age, gender, years of experience, and healthcare setting. It will also include Likertscale questions to assess burnout levels, job satisfaction, and perceived skill gaps. Openended questions will be included to allow participants to provide additional comments or
insights.
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Data Collection Methods
Healthcare professionals, lawmakers, healthcare executives, and educators will be the
subjects of in-depth interviews and focus groups for the study’s qualitative data gathering.
The interviews and focus groups will be semi-structured, allowing for flexibility and
exploring emerging themes. The focus groups and interviews will be audio-recorded and
verbatim transcribed for analysis. Thematic analysis will analyze the qualitative data
collected from the interviews and focus groups. This analysis involves identifying patterns,
themes, and categories within the data. The data will be coded and organized into themes, and
relationships between themes will be explored. The analysis will be conducted manually,
using a systematic and iterative process to ensure rigor and reliability.
For the quantitative data analysis, statistical methods will be used to analyze the
survey data. Descriptive statistics, such as means, frequencies, and percentages, will be
calculated to summarize the data. Inferential statistics, such as correlations and regression
analysis, will examine relationships between variables and test hypotheses. It is acceptable
for this study to use the recommended mixed approaches approach, which combines
qualitative and quantitative methods since it enables a thorough knowledge of the healthcare
staff’s difficulties. The qualitative data will provide rich insights into the experiences and
perspectives of healthcare professionals, while the quantitative data will provide statistical
evidence to support the findings. This mixed-methods approach will enhance the validity and
reliability of the study findings (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2017).
Research Questions
1. What are the significant challenges faced in the healthcare industry?
2. What are the impacts of these challenges on the sustainability of the healthcare
workforce?
3. What are the solutions to the challenges identified?
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Conceptual Framework
The theoretical framework for this inquiry has been decided upon as the Job
Demands-Resources Model. This theory contends that work-related demands like heavy
workloads and anxiety can lead to exhaustion and unpleasant outcomes. Still, workplace
amenities like flexibility and peer support can lessen these effects and enhance welfare
(Flaherty & Bartels, 2019). This model is relevant to understanding the factors contributing to
burnout and job dissatisfaction among healthcare professionals. It recognizes that healthcare
professionals face demanding work environments, long hours, and high-stress levels, which
can contribute to burnout. This study can propose interventions and strategies to mitigate
burnout and improve job satisfaction by identifying the job demands and resources within the
healthcare workforce.
The job demands-resources model provides a theoretical framework for evaluating the
connection between job demands, job resources, and outcomes like burnout and job
satisfaction. It acknowledges the importance of considering both the negative aspects (job
demands) and the positive aspects (job resources) of the work environment in understanding
employee well-being. By applying this model to the healthcare workforce, the study can
explore how specific job demands, such as high patient caseloads or administrative burdens,
contribute to burnout (Flaherty & Bartels, 2019). It can also examine the role of job
resources, such as supportive colleagues or opportunities for professional development, in
mitigating the negative effects of job demands.
The Job Demands-Resources Model aligns with the broader theoretical area of
organizational behavior, which focuses on understanding the behavior and attitudes of
individuals within organizations. This model has been widely used in research on burnout and
job satisfaction across various industries and professions, including healthcare. The Job
Demands-Resources Model, which is a component of the theoretical structure, emphasizes
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the role that the workplace atmosphere has in influencing staff interactions and results. It
recognizes that addressing job demands and providing adequate resources are crucial for
promoting well-being and reducing burnout among healthcare professionals.
The Job Demands-Resources Model falls within the broader theoretical area of organizational
behavior, which focuses on understanding the behavior and attitudes of individuals within
organizations. It aligns with other theories and models in this field, such as the Job
Characteristics Model, which emphasizes the importance of job design and the impact of job
characteristics on employee motivation and satisfaction (Chen & Chen, 2021). By
incorporating the Job Demands-Resources Model into the study, the proposed evidence-based
solutions can have a significant impact on the healthcare workforce and the broader
healthcare system. For example, solutions that address workforce shortages can help ensure
that patients have access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities. This
can be achieved through strategies such as increasing recruitment efforts, expanding
educational programs, and implementing policies to incentivize healthcare professionals to
work in underserved areas (Flaherty & Bartels, 2019).
Definitions of Terms
1. Workforce Shortages: Refers to the circumstance where there aren’t enough
healthcare experts to match the demand for services. There may be a shortage of
doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in particular healthcare fields or
geographical areas.
2. Skill Gaps: Refers to the discrepancy between the knowledge, abilities, and
competencies that healthcare professionals possess and those necessary to fulfill their
jobs in a changing healthcare environment. The development of patient demographics,
shifts in healthcare delivery models, and improvements in medical technology can all
lead to skill gaps.
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3. Healthcare Workforce: Refers to the collective group of people engaged in patient
care, healthcare administration, and healthcare delivery. This group includes doctors,
nurses, allied health professionals, and other healthcare support employees.
4. Burnout: Describes a state of ongoing physical and mental tiredness brought on by
exposure to stressors related to one’s job for an extended period. According to De
Hert (2020), burnout is a term used to describe the physical and mental tiredness of
healthcare professionals because of their demanding jobs, long hours, and scarce
resources.
5. Inefficiencies: Refers to suboptimal processes and practices that make it difficult for
the labor and resources in the healthcare industry to be used effectively, which hurts
output, raises costs, and compromises patient care. Underutilization of skills, poor
task delegation, and poor workforce planning are inefficiencies.
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References
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