Transforming Healthcare: A Call to Action for Surgeons, Systems, and Medical Device

Jan 16, 2024 | by Brad Bichey

The pressures facing current clinicians have not gone unnoticed by today’s students, who share their concerns about the expectations of them once they enter clinical practice… Jan Herzhoff, PhD, President, Health Markets at Elsevier Health

In a recent presentation with top surgeons, health systems, and medical device executives, the critical need for innovation in patient prequalification and triage was highlighted. Our current healthcare system is at a crossroads, and the statistics are alarming.

Here are some staggering statistics from Clinician of the Future 2023 Education Edition, Elsevier Health:

  • 60% of students were worried about their mental health.
  • 21% of nursing students and 12% of medical students are thinking about quitting their studies.
  • 58% see their studies as a stepping stone into a career that does not involve direct patient care.

This crisis extends beyond students, to active clinicians, and to the very core of patient care, shedding light on facts we already know. Too many active surgeons are feeling burnout and job dissatisfaction.

Breaking the Cycle of Burnout: A Dual Strategy

Enhancing Patient-Surgeon Connection:

Our healthcare system has fostered a cycle of burnout affecting both patients and surgeons. A critical step is to efficiently connect motivated patients with surgeons who are passionate about delivering innovative care. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also reinvigorates the surgeons’ purpose in their profession.

Refocusing the Surgical Practice:

It is equally crucial to identify patients who do not require surgery and promptly refer them to appropriate non-surgical care. By streamlining this process, we can ensure that surgeons refocus on the cases they are most passionate about and skilled in, significantly reducing burnout.

The Promised Land: Happy Patients and Happy Surgeons

The challenge lies in improving communication between patients and providers. The solution? Developing asynchronous, HIPAA-compliant, text-based, semi-autonomous communication channels that integrate seamlessly into existing platforms used by patients and caregivers. This approach ensures that every interaction is meaningful, secure, frictionless, and contributes to a more efficient healthcare experience.

The Future is Now

Change is not just necessary; it is inevitable. The healthcare organizations that embrace these innovations will lead the way in transforming patient care, improving surgeon well-being, and ultimately outcompeting others. The time to act is now.

Fire up!

Read the full report: Clinician of the Future 2023 Education Edition @ https://www.elsevier.com/promotions/clinician-of-the-future-education-edition

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