Student Name
Capella University
NHS-FPX 6008 Economics and Decision Making in Health Care
Prof. Name
Date
Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
This assessment focuses on a pressing local healthcare economic issue and its implications for a specific population. The paper discusses the rationale for choosing this issue, analyzes its effects on diverse and low-socioeconomic groups, and identifies key gaps contributing to the problem based on substantial evidence. Understanding these dynamics helps to formulate strategies that enhance community well-being and healthcare system sustainability.
Local Health Care Economic Issue
The shortage of healthcare staff represents a critical economic challenge within the healthcare system. This issue is multifactorial, influenced by increasing healthcare demands due to population growth, rising chronic disease prevalence, and high turnover rates caused by stressful work environments (Itodo et al., 2020; Willard-Grace et al., 2019). Workforce shortages impact patient care and healthcare system efficiency. In the United States, the American Hospital Association has described this shortage as a “national emergency,” estimating a deficit of 1.1 million healthcare professionals by the end of 2022 (Johnson, 2022).
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this shortage, prompting over 1,100 healthcare workers to leave their professions, thereby exacerbating the strain on communities (Johnson, 2022). Tampa General Hospital, where I have firsthand experience, illustrates this issue vividly. Staff shortages lead to increased operational costs, delayed patient care, and economic burdens on both the community and healthcare institutions. Projections indicate that by 2030, the United States will face a shortfall of approximately 121,000 physicians, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing this problem (Harp, 2023).
| Factor | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Demand | Population growth and chronic diseases | Increased patient load and pressure on healthcare system |
| High Turnover | Stressful work conditions, burnout | Workforce attrition, decreased quality of care |
| Pandemic Effect | COVID-19 related resignations | Exacerbated shortages and delayed treatments |
| Financial Burden | Unmet patient needs and increased costs | Economic strain on communities and organizations |
The Rationale for Selecting Shortage of Healthcare Staff
The decision to focus on healthcare workforce shortages is grounded in both professional relevance and personal experience. First, a declining workforce directly affects patient care and outcomes. Patients experience delays, leading to potential deterioration in health conditions (Mascha et al., 2020). Second, the healthcare sector is an essential economic driver, and workforce insufficiency impacts productivity, institutional stability, and the broader community economy (Sharifi et al., 2021).
My personal experience at Tampa General Hospital informed this selection. I observed nurses and physicians leaving their positions, resulting in negative consequences for both patients and the organization, including higher morbidity and mortality rates and reduced financial efficiency. According to the Florida Hospital Association, nurse shortages in Florida are projected to reach 59,000 by 2030 (USF Foundation, 2023). Equity considerations also motivate this choice; a sufficient and well-distributed workforce ensures that patients from all backgrounds receive equitable and timely care.
Impact of Shortage of Healthcare Staff on Diverse or Low Socioeconomic Groups
Staff shortages affect patients, healthcare workers, and community members, particularly those from diverse or low-income backgrounds. Limited staff increases workload, leading to burnout, errors, and further attrition (Chemali et al., 2019). In my experience, high patient loads at Tampa General Hospital resulted in extended working hours, occasional medication errors, and heightened stress among staff. Organizational outcomes included reduced care quality, near-miss events, lower patient satisfaction, and economic instability.
Diverse and low-socioeconomic groups face heightened vulnerability due to these shortages. Culturally diverse patients require care from providers who are culturally competent. When staffing is inadequate, their needs may not be fully addressed, delaying treatments and diagnoses (Billings et al., 2021). Financially disadvantaged patients also face delayed care, exacerbating healthcare disparities and increasing risks of poor health outcomes and mortality (Adugna et al., 2020).
| Affected Group | Specific Impacts | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Workers | Increased workload, burnout | Turnover, stress, reduced job satisfaction |
| Diverse Communities | Delayed care, lack of cultural competence | Poorer health outcomes, delayed diagnoses |
| Low Socioeconomic Patients | Financial barriers, delayed treatments | Increased morbidity and mortality |
| Organizations | Reduced quality of care, operational stress | Economic strain, decreased patient satisfaction |
Gap Contributing to Shortage of Healthcare Staff
A primary gap contributing to workforce shortages is the imbalance between growing healthcare demands and the insufficient supply of trained professionals. This shortage is well-documented; the World Health Organization predicts a global deficit of 10 million healthcare workers by 2030, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries (World Health Organization, 2019).
Another contributing factor is the diminished well-being of healthcare staff. High patient loads and insufficient staffing lead to physical and mental health challenges, prompting many professionals to leave their positions (McDougall et al., 2020). Consequently, hospitals struggle to provide essential services, which negatively affects community health and economic stability due to rising healthcare costs and decreased workforce productivity.
| Gap | Description | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Supply vs. Demand | Shortage of trained professionals | Inability to meet patient needs, delayed treatments |
| Staff Well-being | Burnout, mental and physical health strain | Increased turnover, reduced quality of care |
| Community Impact | Limited access to care | Poor health outcomes, economic burden |
Conclusion
The shortage of healthcare staff in the United States is a critical economic and public health issue. It affects healthcare organizations like Tampa General Hospital, where staff burnout, delayed treatments, and high turnover rates are prominent. The key contributing gap is the mismatch between growing healthcare demands and the availability of qualified professionals. Addressing this shortage requires strategic interventions in workforce planning, staff well-being, and equitable resource allocation to safeguard both community health and economic stability.
References
Adugna, M. B., Nabbouh, F., Shehata, S., & Ghahari, S. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access for children with disabilities in low and middle income sub-Saharan African countries: A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4822-6
Billings, J., Ching, B. C. F., Gkofa, V., Greene, T., & Bloomfield, M. (2021). Experiences of frontline healthcare workers and their views about support during COVID-19 and previous pandemics: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06917-z
Chemali, Z., Ezzeddine, F. L., Gelaye, B., Dossett, M. L., Salameh, J., Bizri, M., Dubale, B., & Fricchione, G. (2019). Burnout among healthcare providers in the complex environment of the Middle East: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7713-1
Harp, J. J. (2023). The shortage of healthcare workers in the United States: A call to action. Assessing the Need for a Comprehensive National Health System in the United States. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/the-shortage-of-healthcare-workers-in-the-united-states/315884
NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
Itodo, G., Samson Enitan, S., Oyekale, A., Agunsoye, C., Asukwo, U., & Enitan, C. (2020). COVID-19 among healthcare workers: Risk of exposure, impacts and biosafety measures – A review. ASJ: International Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE), 6(04), 534–548. https://academiascholarlyjournal.org/ijhse/publications/may20/Itodo_et_al.pdf
Johnson, S. R. (2022). Staff shortages choking U.S. health care system. U.S. News. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-28/staff-shortages-choking-u-s-health-care-system
Mascha, E. J., Schober, P., Schefold, J. C., Stueber, F., & Luedi, M. M. (2020). Staffing with disease-based epidemiologic indices may reduce shortage of intensive care unit staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 131(1), 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000004849
McDougall, R. J., Gillam, L., Ko, D., Holmes, I., & Delany, C. (2020). Balancing health worker well-being and duty to care: An ethical approach to staff safety in COVID-19 and beyond. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(5). https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2020-106557
Sharifi, M., Asadi-Pooya, A. A., & Mousavi-Roknabadi, R. S. (2021). Burnout among healthcare providers of COVID-19: A systematic review of epidemiology and recommendations. Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine, 9(1), e7–e7. https://doi.org/10.22037/aaem.v9i1.1004
NHS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
USF Foundation. (2023). Giving to USF: Tampa general hospital and USF team up to strengthen pipeline of nurses with training and education. Giving to USF. https://giving.usf.edu/impact/tampa-general-hospital-names-usf-health-college-nursing-simulation-lab
Willard-Grace, R., Knox, M., Huang, B., Hammer, H., Kivlahan, C., & Grumbach, K. (2019). Burnout and health care workforce turnover. The Annals of Family Medicine, 17(1), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2338
World Health Organization. (2019, August 7). Health workforce. WHO. https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-workforce#tab=tab_1