Editor's Note A study of nurses in the UK found that the majority of those surveyed felt undervalued and under-recognized, perceiving that they did not have a voice in higher-level decision-making, during the pandemic. The findings were published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing on October 30. Forty participants were…
Editor's Note A November 2022 survey of American Society of Anesthesiologists members found that, post-pandemic, anesthesiologists are experiencing unprecedented levels of workplace stress and staffing shortages. The findings were published in the November 2023 issue of the journal Anesthesiology. The authors surveyed the US attending members of the American Society…
Editor's Note Seeking higher pay and greater flexibility, many nurses are turning to gig work, MedicalXpress November 8 reports. The article defines gig work as “picking up individual shifts on an app as an alternative to months-long contracts or direct employment by a hospital.” Also according to the article: 100,000…
Editor's Note There is a lack of gender, ethnic, and racial diversity in leadership roles in US academic surgery departments, according to a new study in JAMA Surgery that was published on October 11. The authors included in their analysis 154 surgical departments within 146 medical schools and affiliated hospitals…
Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 58,400 from October to November, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released on November 3. That is compared to the average monthly gain of 53,000 over the prior 12 months, for a total of 17,123,600 seasonally…
A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projects shortages of 15,800 to 30,200 in all surgical specialties by 2034. Driven by various factors, including the growing healthcare needs of an aging population, an aging surgical workforce—with many surgeons and nurses nearing retirement—and limited capacity in medical and…
ORs are a key revenue driver for hospitals, with surgical services accounting for nearly half of hospital margins. Efficient use of OR time is therefore critical to sustaining and growing hospital revenue and profitability. Perioperative leaders face an ongoing challenge in optimizing OR utilization, however, because of the common mindset…
Editor's Note Increasing demand for nurses is driving up salaries for RN in the US, an October 4 Careers of the Future projection reports. According to this research from telecommunications company TollFreeForwarding, RNs are projected to see a pay increase of nearly $13 more per hour by 2033. RNs made…
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing personnel shortages in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), which are anticipated to persist. Before the pandemic, nursing supply and demand were already affected negatively by several factors, including approximately 70,000 Baby Boomer RNs retiring per year. As the remaining Baby Boomer RNs retire over…
Editor's Note An October 2023 investigative study published by JAMA Network looked at physician burnout among US physicians over the past 5 years and found that burnout is increasing, JAMA October 6 reports. According to the study, burnout is a threat to the US healthcare system and physicians' ability to…