Healthcare is transforming rapidly, driven by technological advancements, evolving patient expectations and shifting demographics. While these changes propel our industry forward, significant gaps in access continue.
As we enter this new era, it is critical that we partner with clinicians across the industry to constantly explore new ways to optimize. Continued transformation allows us to better serve patients and communities and protect and preserve our workforce, while preparing for the future challenges that healthcare faces.
According to projections published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
There are several contributing factors to this industry-wide headwind:
- Increased demand
- Workforce bottlenecks
- Earlier retirement
- Burnout
The ultimate goal of every physician is to provide the quality care to help their patients to live a full and better life. That is why we must continue to invest in and implement programs that lessen administrative burden by focusing on workforce development, retention, productivity and technological innovation. Effective implementation of new technologies that improve workflow efficiency is one of the most effective ways that we can build and sustain a strong workforce of highly skilled physicians and advanced practice providers.
One example of this is Ascension’s work with the innovative company Wellsheet, which provides software that saves clinicians time by summarizing information about their patients into one view and coordinating workflows across care teams. This has improved the clinician experience, with clinicians reporting saving up to two hours per day in their workflow.
Ascension is also a leading implementer of voice to note technology that allows clinicians to focus on patients while medical-grade programs automatically create draft clinical notes for physicians to review and finalize.
The role of a clinician is shifting, but we remain laser focused on getting the right care to the right patient at the right time. That doesn't always have to be in person. To extend the impact of our clinicians and to serve more patients, we are aggressively implementing the next generation of virtual care solutions.
Technology also allows providers to reach underserved rural areas where certain types of doctors may not be available in person, but patients continue to need care. Virtual and other platforms allow our clinicians to provide care in these settings without physically being there.
Ascension is also in the unique position of having one of the largest residency training programs in the country. We are not only focused on training residents, but on retaining them. That is why we are connecting residents in training with recruiting, to provide opportunities that support a smooth transition from residency to practice.
Every physician wants to help patients live healthy, functional and meaningful lives. Delivering that kind of care requires a commitment to quality, time, and connection. We must provide the resources that allow doctors to step away from administrative tasks and focus on patient interactions.
We believe that the future of healthcare depends on how we support those called to deliver it. Investing in physicians and advanced practice providers through smarter technology, innovative care models, meaningful engagement, and targeted workforce development is not optional. It is necessary for maintaining access, improving outcomes, and delivering compassionate care to every person we serve. If we are to meet the growing demands of tomorrow, we must act with urgency and purpose today.
