The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and constant technological advancements. At Shearwater Health, we strive to revolutionize healthcare systems that align with our mission to “improve healthcare outcomes globally.” With the start of a new year, trends are emerging that could potentially impact the healthcare industry in 2023. From ensuring data privacy and security to investing in mental health, the following are trends expected to be seen this year.
Addressing Staffing Shortages, Clinical Burnout, and Employees Retention
The solution for staffing shortages is highly sought after in the healthcare industry, and this will continue in 2023. COVID-19 significantly impacted the shortage when an estimated 1 in 5 healthcare workers opted to leave the workforce. The U.S. is expected to need 1.2 million additional registered nurses by 2030. Clinical Process Outsourcing, the delegation of healthcare-focused administrative work that requires a clinician or is made better because of clinical expertise, is a solution that improves the quality of care, reduces costs, and improves clinical processes. Shearwater Health combines clinical expertise and business acumen to achieve these outcomes through CPO partnerships with healthcare organizations. Additionally, leadership can retain staff by encouraging flexibility, adapting to technology, and adopting improved retention strategies is a start in solving these challenges.
Increasing Utilization of Telehealth Systems
Following the pandemic, there has been a rise in telehealth options for patients, which will continue to remain prevalent in 2023. Telehealth is convenient and affordable for patients, but a major benefit for the healthcare industry is that it allows for more organized electronic health records. Virtual Case Management is a valuable option for the nursing shortage and overcrowding in hospitals, and VCM can help optimize workflow and keep workloads manageable for case managers. Where technology and U.S.-based companies can be more expensive in providing virtual case managers, Shearwater Health can offer cost-effective virtual case solutions while providing top-quality care.
Ensuring Data Privacy and Security
Following the rise in telehealth systems, the need for data privacy and security has become a top priority for healthcare providers. With every new technological advancement comes the challenge of keeping data safe. Healthcare leadership continues to seek solutions to ensure maximum security for patient data. The utilization of Blockchain technologies can improve efficiency and overall workflow in the healthcare space. Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of ordered records (blocks) that are linked using cryptography which contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. This is one of many potential methods for data security discussed by healthcare professionals, which will stay relevant throughout the year. Shearwater Health is dedicated to meeting quality security standards and evolving with technology through thorough implementation plans and on-site quality improvement.
About Shearwater Health
Because of a shortage of clinicians, it’s often difficult to scale healthcare organizations. Shearwater Health provides teams of remote and onsite clinicians that expand the size and impact of clinical teams so that clients can focus on internal teams practicing at the peak of their license. From bedside to back-office, there are over 4,000 Shearwater clinicians solving medical and administrative problems every hour of every day all over the world. Shearwater combines clinical expertise with Six sigma process excellence and RPA technology to improve healthcare outcomes.
