rural hospitals

7 observations showing how rural healthcare is overcoming the provider shortage

Rural healthcare facilities are increasingly turning to nurse practitioners (NPs), international medical graduates (IMGs) and “non-residency” physicians to fill the gaps by Intelliworx They say constraint breeds creativity. When faced with limited resources, leaders find ways to apply those resources more effectively. Constraints tend to produce creative thinking that one might not have considered otherwise. One place we’ve found this to be true is rural healthcare. A persistent shortage of healthcare providers has forced the community, especially in rural areas, to find creative ways to solve this problem. That’s an observation we found woven throughout the 2024 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives report. The report, which is the most current edition available, is produced by AMN Healthcare’s Physician Solutions division – formerly known as Merritt Hawkins. It’s compiled from a range of sources including other studies, surveys and most importantly, a “representative sample of the 2,138” provider […]

Regional provider compensation: There’s a wide delta between the highest and lowest

In one example, primary care physicians can earn up to $252,379 more annually by working in the highest-paying state in the PCP category (Mississippi) than in the lowest-paying state (Alaska) by Intelliworx The delta between the highest and lowest compensation among providers is staggering. You might think a provider stands to make more income working for a big city hospital than they do in a rural community, but that’s not always the case. Consider the following data – derived from the 2024 MGMA provider compensation data: Primary care physicians (PCP) can earn up to $252,379 more annually by working in the highest-paying state in the PCP category (Mississippi) than in the lowest-paying state (Alaska); Surgical specialists can earn up to $504,277 more annually by working in the highest-paying state in the surgical category (South Carolina) than in the lowest-paying state (Wyoming); Non-surgical specialists can earn up to $508,468 more annually […]

Many healthcare employers see the struggle to recruit nurses grow

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, yet a dearth of talent means this persistent problem continues to weigh on employers by Intelliworx As it is with providers, healthcare employees everywhere are struggling to attract nurses. That’s according to a new report by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Citing an MGMA Stat poll from May 2024, the report says, “22% of medical group leaders say their nurse recruitment and hiring efforts improved in the past year, while the majority (78%) say they have seen little change (43%) or experienced worsened conditions (35%).” The top factor contributing to this healthcare recruiting challenge is a dearth of talent. There simply aren’t enough nurses and it’s hitting rural locations even harder. Why? “While some practice leaders noted a smaller pool of candidates in their rural markets, most respondents pointed to tough competition for qualified candidates from hospitals and larger organizations with […]

3 systemic problems in healthcare that may magnify the talent shortage

3 systemic problems in healthcare staff that may magnify the talent shortage

Observations from three healthcare conferences suggest the short-term remedy for backfilling vacant provider positions may be making the problem worse in the long run by Intelliworx There’s an intense shortage of provider talent in healthcare. While there’s no disagreement over that fact, leaders may be unknowingly adding to the problem. That’s our takeaway after having exhibited at three healthcare conferences over the last six months or so. These conferences included the 3RNET annual conference, which is aimed at hospital administrators; the AAPPR annual conference serving recruiters who specialize in finding providers; and the ASHHRA which is for healthcare human resources staff. We sent a handful of people to work at the booth and walk the floor at each event. We universally heard about the talent shortage at these conferences – and made some observations about the way the industry is addressing this key issue. 1. Healthcare leaders are too busy firefighting […]

Report proposes well-researched ideas for solving the primary care physician shortage

Independent study suggests exposing residents to the benefits of primary care, working to develop PCP training opportunities and being more receptive to relying on advanced clinicians like NPs and PAs by Intelliworx Primary care may have an outsized impact on the overall health of a population. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But there’s more than just an old quip as evidence – there’s data: “Studies have repeatedly shown that having this regular, or usual, source of health care improves patient outcomes and reduces unnecessary utilization of emergency rooms and hospitals.” That’s according to a report and “primary care scorecard” by The Physician’s Foundation and the Milbank Memorial Fund. The report is built on top of a previous study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The report concludes there’s an acute shortage of primary care providers (PCPs) in […]

Providers identify the top benefits of working in rural healthcare [infographic]

Doctors and advanced practitioners say the lower cost of living, more time with patients and better work-life balance are the most attractive qualities of working in rural healthcare by Intelliworx It’s no secret that rural healthcare faces many challenges including recruiting and retention. The question that stands out is: What can hospital and healthcare leaders do about it? We conducted a short survey of 107 U.S. providers to find out earlier this year. Every online survey is by definition “self-selecting” so we paid an independent research panel to solicit responses to ensure the veracity of responses. Here’s what providers said are the top benefits of working in rural healthcare: 47% said the lower cost of living; 46% said more time with patients; and 45% said better work-life balance. There are additional benefits too that should not be overlooked: 31% said slower pace of rural life; 23% said job security; 17% […]

How nursing leaders are tackling recruiting and retention amid burnout and shortages

Survey of nursing managers shows many are leaning on contingency staffing talent to bridge the staffing gap near-term while improving processes and adding tech over the long-term by Intelliworx® Nurses are the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics around the nation simply could not run without them. This means the role of managing a team of nurses is an important job – and one that seems to be getting harder all the time. A recent survey of nursing leaders by the staffing firm AMN Healthcare illustrates this notion in detail. It’s among the most challenging jobs in healthcare, wrote one nursing leader in response to an open-ended question: “It is one of the most difficult jobs in the entire hospital! You have to be a liaison between nursing, medical services, housekeeping, engineering, grounds, nutrition, social work, physical therapy, finance, supply chain, patients, their families all while keeping […]

Survey: 45% of healthcare providers will refuse a job offer if the recruiting experience is poor

Providers say the most attractive qualities of working in a rural healthcare facility are lower cost of living, more time with patients and better work-life balance by Intelliworx When it comes to recruiting providers, healthcare facilities don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. That’s one high-level finding of a 5-question snap survey of 107 U.S. healthcare providers we just fielded. This matters because healthcare is already facing a talent shortage. The matter is even more acute in rural facilities because the available talent pool is smaller and shrinking as the Baby Boomer Generation retires. Rural facilities will have to work harder to attract talent. There is room for optimism too though. Providers also shared what they see as the benefits of working for a rural facility. The fact is many providers are attracted to the medical community out of a sense of compassion for humanity. It’s […]

A Porter’s Five Forces Analysis for Provider Talent in Rural Healthcare

Direct competition from urban hospitals is just one factor among many that make up the competitive landscape for provider talent by Intelliworx The renowned economist Michael E. Porter first published his “Five Forces” framework for analyzing competitive markets in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) in 1979. Porter’s Five Forces, provides a sound way to analyze the competitive landscape necessary to develop a winning strategy. The fact that Porter refers to a landscape is telling. Competitors are just one factor in a competitive landscape. Porter realized that competition stems from more than just rival products – but also the actions of customers, partners and even new technology. Perhaps to emphasize this point, Dr. Porter updated the framework in 2008 and republished it in HBR. He also offered this explanation to go along with it: “In essence, the job of the strategist is to understand and cope with competition. Often, however, managers […]

The top recruiting challenges facing rural hospitals [and ideas for overcoming them]

Survey research finds the lower cost of living, greater autonomy and a higher sense of fulfillment are attractive characteristics rural healthcare facilities should pitch to prospective provider candidates by Intelliworx Rural healthcare facilities are under financial pressure. At the end of 2022, the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010 and 2021. The trend hasn’t slowed down either. As we turned the corner on the New Year, another 88 hospitals, many of which are rural, shuttered or cut back on the healthcare services offered. There are many reasons why this is happening. One significant factor is that rural facilities struggle to attract talent, such as physicians, physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). A periodic survey – Rural Physician Recruitment and Staffing Survey Results – by Jackson Physician Search does well to quantify some of the challenges and propose some ideas for overcoming them. Below are […]