The U.S. healthcare system has been facing several longstanding, complex challenges, including rising costs, inequitable access to care, overuse of care, supply chain weaknesses, and staffing shortages. COVID-19 only accelerated them, changing the healthcare landscape. One study estimates that hospitals will lose at least $54 billion in 2021 due to the pandemic. As the world prepares for a post-COVID-19 era, the healthcare sector has already changed in four important ways: increased reliance on digital healthcare tools, the broader use of telehealth, shifts in the healthcare model, and a growing focus on public health. For aspiring healthcare leaders looking to manage […]

Table of Contents  Physician burnout broken down by specialtyWhat is physician burnout?Physician burnout statistics by specialtyPhysician burnout treatment methodsImproving healthcare by helping physicians avoid and overcome burnout The primary reason most physicians enter the profession is a desire to help people in need. However, with each passing year, physicians in all specialties spend less time interacting with their patients and more time dealing with administrative duties. The result is unprecedented levels of physician burnout. A 2021 Medscape survey of physician burnout and suicide found that 42% of all physicians felt burned out.A 2020 Medical Economics survey found that 91% of […]

Tables of Contents Providing Healthcare Leadership During a CrisisEstablishing a Crisis Management TeamLeading Effective Crisis CommunicationDevelop Bold Leadership Skills for a Healthcare Crisis Effective leadership is necessary in any crisis. But a healthcare crisis often requires striking a balance between patient-centered care and scarce resources — and that makes wise counsel and strong leadership even more important. Providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, often has called for weighing what’s best for individual patients against the overall availability of treatment. A pandemic is not the only situation in which healthcare crisis management is a necessity. Navigating a wide variety […]

America’s population of seniors is large and growing. According to the U.S. Census, there are 47 million seniors age 65 and older in the United States; the Population Reference Bureau expects this number to double to more than 100 million by 2060. Given this significant population growth, there is a significant need for professionals in assisted living communities and healthcare management roles. Seeking employment in an assisted living environment is a strong choice for compassionate students with interests in a career providing care and support to society’s aging adults — and it all begins with studying senior living management or […]

Since the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) passed in 2004, patient confidentiality has played a pivotal role in the healthcare industry. Patient confidentiality refers to the right of patients to keep their records private and represents physicians’ and medical professionals’ moral and legal obligations in handling patients’ sensitive medical and personal information. What Is Patient Confidentiality? Healthcare providers — physicians, nurses, medical institutions, and others — who deal with patient health information are known as covered entities. They are responsible for patient confidentiality, as per HIPAA’s Privacy Rule, which states that medical professionals cannot legally share patient information […]

Tables of Contents What Does HIPAA Stand for?What Is a Pre-existing Condition?Acute and Chronic IllnessesAnti-Inflammatory: Definition and Examples of a Key Medical TermUsing Standard Clinical Terminology in Care Healthcare management professionals are critical members of the healthcare community with a wide range of responsibilities, including implementing technologies that improve patient care, managing budgets for healthcare facilities, and ensuring that healthcare laws are followed. An understanding of healthcare terms is essential for every aspect of a healthcare management professional’s role. From drug delivery and billing to insurance claims and outpatient services, a clear understanding of healthcare terms — and the important […]

To those who are not specialists, working in hospice care and palliative care may seem like the same thing. Both deal with the needs of terminal patients and depend heavily on nursing and managerial skills. However, there are distinct differences between the professions. While hospice and palliative care professionals perform many of the same functions, the settings and patient outlook differ. For students who are embarking on elderly care as a profession, understanding the differences between these two specialties will help them choose the best path. A Rapidly Aging Population The elderly population in the United States is growing, and […]

Healthcare facilities don’t run themselves. Hospitals, outpatient operations, psychiatric institutions, and other organizations rely not only on doctors, nurses, and technicians but also on business-minded professionals who handle personnel and financial management. Healthcare professionals learn how to treat patients and manage illnesses, but it’s not their responsibility to balance budgets, run information systems, or lead these organizations, some of which employ hundreds of people. It takes managers and administrators, whose education combines business principles with knowledge of the healthcare landscape, to fill those roles. Healthcare management and healthcare administration professionals have similar work environments but different duties in the healthcare […]

Mental health is a combination of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act. Our mental health also plays a factor in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. People who manage their mental health well are able to cope with the stressors of life, be productive both in and outside of work, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Those who struggle to manage mental health may suffer from a mental illness. A mental illness is a common health condition that involves changes in emotions, thought patterns, and behavior. In fact: […]

Running out of money in retirement is a major financial worry among America’s senior population. AARP reports that 49% of seniors fear they won’t have enough to tide them over. As a result, more and more older Americans who are technically “retired” are returning to the workforce to supplement their incomes with part-time work — for instance, by participating in the gig economy and working as drivers for ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. According to Forbes, the U.S. is one of only two “rich” nations (by OECD standards) with an elder labor force participation rate of more than […]