new york, usa
Mercer, a Marsh McLennan (NYSE:MMC) company and a global leader in helping clients realize their investment goals, shape the future of work, and improve employee health and retirement outcomes, announced today that , released a new study, “The Future of the U.S. Healthcare Industry.” : Labor market forecast to 2028. The report predicts there will be a shortage of 100,000 healthcare workers nationwide by 2028.
Even before COVID-19, the U.S. healthcare labor market faced challenges where demand for healthcare workers exceeded supply. A new Mercer report finds that accelerating job turnover, health care worker burnout, an aging population, and wages that lag behind the overall labor market are driving the decline in certain states, particularly for family physicians, advanced practice providers1 and nurses. It highlights how this is contributing to a decline in labor supply. .
“A shortage of 100,000 health care workers will further exacerbate existing disparities in health care access in certain states,” said Dan Resott, a partner in Mercer's U.S. Workforce Strategy and Analytics practice. . “It is imperative that health systems take action and develop strategies to address shortages so that patient care is not affected.”
This analysis highlights the importance of having a strong workforce strategy to compete with other healthcare organizations and employers in other industries. To address workforce shortages, employers are using strong compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain talent, including creative methods such as talent sourcing, job redesign, and schedule optimization. A comprehensive strategic plan and innovative tactics must be developed.
It is also important that health systems and governments work together to address specific labor disparities across locations and occupations, including in subspecialties within the health workforce, such as physicians specializing in women's health or early childhood. . Through collaboration, states can close these gaps and build stronger health systems.
