Inside Employees’ Minds Healthcare Edition 2024 

In our previous report, we explored concerns such as inflation and the potential for a recession, which fortunately did not materialize. However, the industry is still grappling with significant disruptions, particularly concerning its workforce, margin pressures, and the toll of burnout on healthcare professionals. This challenging period is not fleeting; healthcare organizations must not only weather the storm but also undergo a fundamental reset in the delivery of healthcare in the U.S.

The ongoing shortage in the healthcare workforce is a persistent challenge with no end in sight. Organizations that proactively address employee concerns stand to benefit greatly, while those that neglect this issue are likely to experience stagnant or worsening outcomes.

Continued margin pressure has led organizations to reconsider their revenue models, restructure costs, and pursue growth through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. The current cost models are deemed unsustainable, necessitating strategic shifts.

Despite healthcare workers being the linchpin of the health system, the value proposition for working in the industry has remained increasingly unattractive for the third consecutive year. Pre-pandemic burnout rates were already high, and there has been little or no improvement since. Addressing the significant burnout levels requires organizational-level changes.