HHS issues report on COVID-19 effect on health care workforce

A recent federal report details the extreme stress the COVID-19 pandemic put on the health care workforce. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hospital and Outpatient Clinician Workforce: Challenges and Policy Responses was released this week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The report found “pandemic-related challenges have taken place in a context of significant pre-existing workforce shortages and maldistribution, as well as in a workforce where burnout, stress, and mental health problems were already significant problems.” In addition to outlining federal steps taken to support the health care workforce during the pandemic, the report suggests future opportunities for strengthening workforce policy. (HHS report, 5/3/22)