As hospitals continue to feel the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, a June 25 report shows many health system leaders are turning to technology to help ease ongoing staffing issues.
A survey of 27 hospital executives, conducted by the Center for Connected Medicine at UPMC and KLAS Research, highlights how tools like education platforms, automation and scheduling software are gaining traction as potential solutions to persistent recruitment and retention issues.
Here are seven key findings from the report:
- More than 80% of healthcare leaders surveyed said technology is “very important” or “important” to solving workforce challenges.
- Nearly 90% said they expect to invest in workforce-related technology within the next two years.
- Two-thirds of respondents said they use technology to help with recruiting. Tools that streamline hiring, use digital marketing to reach wider talent pools, and track applications more efficiently were among the most commonly used.
- Some leaders said their systems are investing in automation and cloud-based tools to support more flexible operations.
- When asked where they plan to invest over the next one to two years, executives named platforms like Workday, UKG, NetSuite and ADP as top choices for recruitment, retention and optimization. Ambient documentation tools like Nuance DAX also made the list for easing clinician workload.
- Despite enthusiasm for digital tools, gaps remain. Many executives said they want more integration across systems, better training options, and improved transparency for both staff and administrators.
- Executives were also asked about their openness to early-stage vendors. While some expressed willingness to collaborate, others prioritized stability and preferred established vendors due to scalability and budget concerns.
