Question

There are about 5,000 general acute care hospitals in the U.S., down from about 7,000 30 years ago, mostly due to the closure of small rural hospitals and the emergence of ambulatory care centers which are more convenient and less expensive. Briefly discuss some of the challenges facing hospital human resources management given the 24/7 availability of services.   

Answer 1

Some of the challenges facing hospital human resources management given the 24/7 availability of services include; a nursing deficit in the USA; due to various factors such as; an aging population, the rising incidence of chronic disease, an aging nursing workforce, and the limited capacity of nursing schools. This shortage is so severe that it may turn into a crisis, one with worrying implications. Further, according to a new study commissioned by the AAMC; the United States will face a shortage of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians by 2030. This leads to problems in the human resources management for the 24/7 availability of services.