As we look back on the previous year, there were ups and downs, progress made and some changes in the industry. So, what did we see in 2022 in health care?
2020 and the COVID pandemic brought an increase in the use of virtual care, and in the last two years, there’s been an even larger investment in telehealth. In addition, there have also been changes to medical student loan repayment, a focus placed on mental health and shifts in the amount of job responses.
Requirements were eased on the Limited Waiver Option, so physicians in nonprofit, government and tribal organizations that didn’t previously qualify, may have found themselves able to receive aid through LWO.
Burnout has affected many health care professionals, especially the past two years. With more physicians and advanced practice providers facing burnout, there was an emphasis on knowing the signs of burnout and how to prevent and treat it.
Speaking of burnout, it could be one of the possible reasons you might have seen fewer job responses last year. Between that, aging doctors retiring; the patient population aging; and less competition, physicians were not searching for jobs at the same rate they had years ago.
The physician shortage is ongoing and while there was increased enrollment of medical students at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers have now leveled. However, we could still see an increase in residents and physicians in the coming years, so what will 2023 bring?
Improving patient experience
Technology has allowed patients to be more aware of their health and advocate for themselves. This year, we will see organizations work to simplify the patient experience and make access to data and technology more convenient. This will also allow providers and patients to work as a team and be more proactive when it comes to the health and treatment of the patient.
Continued investment in mental health
In recent years, we’ve heard more about mental health and what that means than ever before. Digital mental health services have been on the rise and, in 2023, we will continue to see more resources made available to patients, providing access from almost anywhere.
Addressing shortages and burnout
To combat staff shortages and burnout, organizations will look at ways to attract and retain physicians and APPs with more flexible scheduling, leave and benefits. The upcoming year might see a shift in how organizations recruit physicians and help them take a deeper look at candidates’ priorities and needs.
Megan Trippi
