Healthy functioning of the healthcare sector

Healthy functioning of the healthcare sector

It is an accepted fact that HR in healthcare and hospitals are facing the following challenges :

1. Recruitment & Selection processes

Archaic methods of recruitment and selection are proving to be less beneficial to the organisation thus calling for a change in outlook from a futuristic point of view rather than a ' filling a vacancy' approach. This also means a mindset change at the top level - C suite level.

2. Wage Competition 

Every hospital would like to have the best talent pool but may not be able to or willing to pay the best compensation.  Those who  can get the best talent , leaving the less talented ones for the others to pick up.

3. Shortage

A good pay and perks also fail sometime to get the 'right fit' employee as there is a shortage of qualified and skilled workforce in the healthcare scenario.

4. Attrition / Retention

One of the key challenges is faced in this area. At different levels, there are different rate of attrition.  Probably, it is very high among nurses. Conventional methods no longer guarantees Retention. 

5. Burnout syndrome

This is rather high in hospitals at executive and non executive levels too in hospitals.Work load increases are disproportionate, inadequate compensation, impractical work hours, unfriendly attitude among peers and seniors are some of the reasons. 

6. Training and Development

Many hospitals do not have or do not believe in continuous training and up killing.The approach is ad-hoc mostly.

Developing leaders is the responsibility of the C suite executives who have by training and experience have come to C suite level.

Path breaking HR approach

The above scenario has propelled the Path breaking HR outlook now.

It involves a shrewd analysis of the current situation, closely assessing future scenario using trend analysis and economic realities.

Then 'work backward' to plan the manpower needs, tweak the recruitment and selection standards to suit futuristic requirement.

Uncompromising attention to continuous training and development at all operational and executive levels in the hospital so that they become ' future ready'

Planning for outcomes and communicating the same to employees unambiguously.  Monitoring outcomes and course corrections periodically so that it is a mutually beneficial exercise.  Appreciating the future role AI can play in productivity gains.

Creating an enabling work culture .

Compensating rightly and empowering people. Showing them  their career pathway and telling them honestly that they are being groomed for facing future challenges. Keeping their aspirations for C suite position alive and fulfilling them when they deliver the agreed outcomes. 

Serious training and upskilling will create a better workforce and would also help retention and grooming. 

A Mahalingam

Healthcare Administrator and Academician

TwinTech Healthcare Academy, Chennai

Mobile : 97104 85295 / eMail : mahali@mahali.in / Web : mahali.in