Healthcare Challenges: An Outlook by Classic LifeCare

Since the COVID pandemic, healthcare systems in British Columbia and Alberta continue to face some tough challenges. Workforce shortages and burnout have been huge issues as healthcare services need to keep running, but the people providing care need to take care of themselves too. There are some creative solutions to address these healthcare workforce challenges.

The Health Worker Shortage

It is no secret that there has been a serious lack of healthcare workers in both BC and Alberta, especially when it comes to nurses, primary care providers, and specialists. Here is why:

• Retirement Wave: A lot of seasoned professionals are retiring, and it is leaving a big gap in the workforce.
• Growing Demand: The population is not only getting bigger, but it is also getting older, which means more people need healthcare services.
• Training Bottlenecks: Unfortunately, the number of spots in medical and nursing programs cannot keep up with the demand for new professionals.

And then there’s burnout, which is a huge problem and easy to see why. Healthcare workers are dealing with heavier patient loads, more administrative work, and a ton of stress. They are also facing emotional exhaustion from the nature of the work. And let us not forget the struggle to balance those long, irregular work hours with their personal lives which takes a toll on their mental and physical health.

Ideas by Classic LifeCare for Better Work Conditions and Patient Care

Despite all these challenges, there has been a lot of brainstorming and some innovative solutions popping up in BC and Alberta recently:

• Expanding Educational Programs: There has been a big push to increase the capacity of medical and nursing schools. More investment is going into expanding existing programs and creating new ones, and universities are teaming up to offer more comprehensive training.
• Making Recruitment and Retention Easier: There is a lot of effort going into making healthcare careers more attractive. This includes offering competitive wages and benefits, and making sure professionals have opportunities for continuous development. Plus, flexible scheduling options are being explored to give workers more control over their time. Classic LifeCare has actively made sure to make consistent efforts to check in with our healthcare workers to ask for feedback about their job satisfaction and what we can do better. We offer flexible work hours and try to work around their schedules. We also try to offer employees opportunities for constant growth and development. This can be in the form of employee incentive programs and more options for continuous education to grow in their role.
• Leveraging Technology: Technology is becoming a meaningful change. The expansion of telemedicine is reducing the need for in-person visits and making healthcare more accessible. Advanced electronic health records (EHRs) are cutting down on paperwork and making administrative tasks more manageable. Classic LifeCare is on the forefront of healthcare evolution by adapting to this dynamic environment. Our clients and their families have access to all updated records on our family portal. No matter where they are, their loved ones are in safe hands with Classic LifeCare. Read more about how this works.
• Promoting Mental Health and Well-being: Taking care of our healthcare workers’ mental health is becoming a priority. More counseling services and peer support networks are being introduced, and wellness programs like stress management workshops and physical activity plans are gaining popularity. To ensure that our workforce does not face burnout, we make sure to check up on all workers personally and lean into flexibility when they need a break. To keep the morale high, we often have events to wind down such as ‘Employee Appreciation Events’ and regular team outings (depending on the undependable Vancouver weather).  
• Policy and Advocacy: On the policy front, there’s ongoing work to drive changes that improve the system. Advocacy groups are pushing for better resource and funding allocation, and public awareness campaigns are helping to shed light on the challenges that healthcare workers are facing, which is crucial for gaining support from the community. Some notable campaigns in BC and Alberta that focus on challenges faced by healthcare workers:

1. BC Care Providers Association – Thank You Caregivers
2. Alberta Health Services – Support Our Health Care Heroes
3. Alberta Medical Association – Stand Up for Healthcare
4. Doctors of BC – Healthier Together

The challenges facing the healthcare workforce in BC and Alberta are significant, but they are possible to overcome. With the right strategies and a collaborative effort among all the stakeholders, it is possible to create a more supportive and sustainable environment for healthcare professionals. By focusing on expanding educational opportunities, improving recruitment and retention, leveraging technology, promoting mental health, and advocating for policy changes, we can ensure that quality patient care and a strong healthcare system are maintained well into the future.