Why Employee Feedback Is a Lasting Solution to the Healthcare Staffing Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic ignited a staffing crisis that shows no signs of slowing down. Burnout, fueled by the pandemic's relentless pressure and the ongoing challenges of the healthcare industry, has become a driving force behind an exodus of skilled professionals. With turnover rates soaring and competition fiercer than ever, attracting and retaining top talent has become the ultimate challenge. But what if there was a secret weapon to turn the tide?

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The Pandemic's Painful Legacy

COVID-19 didn't just disrupt healthcare, it transformed it. According to the National Library of Medicine the pandemic intensified burnout, triggered early retirements, and exacerbated existing workforce challenges. People are still reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. The American Dental Association reports a staggering 20-30% annual turnover rate in the dental industry alone, far exceeding the national average. Meanwhile, staff RNs in nursing experienced around 20% turnover in 2023 as reported by NSI Nursing Solutions.

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The Vicious Cycle: Turnover, Competition, & Reputation

High turnover isn't just disruptive; it's contagious. As employees leave, morale plummets, and productivity suffers. Burnout and disengagement intensifies among remaining employees, making it increasingly likely that departing employees will leave negative public reviews for former employers.  As DSOs, MSOs, and private practices compete for top talent, they find it increasingly difficult to appear attractive to potential employees. 

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The Silent Killer: Disengagement's Dollar Drain

High turnover can drive disengagement in remaining staff, making them less productive, dragging down morale, and quietly sabotaging your bottom line. A recent Gallup study revealed that low employee engagement costs the global economy a jaw-dropping $8.8 trillion annually. For your organization, that translates to missed opportunities, lost revenue, and a toxic workplace culture.

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Boost Retention and Satisfaction With Employee Experience Management (EXM)

Investing in tools like Swell’s Employee Experience Management (EXM) is crucial for healthcare and dental organizations seeking to:

• Resolve Issues Proactively: Gathering real-time feedback allows organizations to identify and address employee concerns before they escalate, improving job satisfaction and retention.
• Strengthen Their Brand as an Employer: Positive employee experiences lead to positive online reviews and referrals, enhancing an organization's reputation as an employer of choice and attracting top talent.
• Improve Engagement & Performance: Highly engaged healthcare employees demonstrate 18% higher productivity, 21% lower turnover in high-turnover organizations, and 10% higher patient ratings, according to a Gallup study.

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Swell's EXM: A Tailored Solution for Healthcare & Dental Excellence

Swell's EXM platform is designed specifically for healthcare and dental organizations, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to elevate the employee experience:

• Automatically Send Pulse Surveys: Gain real-time, anonymous feedback from your team on the issues that matter most, such as compensation, workload, equipment, career development, and overall satisfaction.
• Manage and Monitor Employer Reputation: Monitor and manage your online reputation across key platforms, respond to feedback, and proactively encourage satisfied employees to share their positive experiences.
• View Actionable Insights: Swell's platform analyzes survey data using AI to identify trends, prioritize areas for improvement, and measure the impact of your efforts over time.
• See Exceptional Data After a Turnkey Setup - This is a true push-button solution. Users need only upload a list of employees, or use Swell’s API, and Swell begins gathering feedback automatically.

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Invest in Your Most Valuable Asset: Your Team

The talent crisis in healthcare and dental necessitates a shift towards employee-centric practices. By prioritizing employee experience, DSOs, MSOs, and other healthcare organizations can overcome current challenges and thrive in the years to come.

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Ready to unlock the full potential of your dental team? Contact Swell today and let's transform your employee experience together.