Is Remote Work Possible in the Healthcare System?

The healthcare industry has seen significant changes over the years, from advances in technology to new regulations. One aspect of healthcare that has always been constant is the need for healthcare workers, especially care providers, to be physically present in the workplace.

That may be changing now as many HR leaders are considering remote work to encourage employee wellness and mental health. Other industries have reported higher levels of productivity and better work-life balance thanks to working from home.

This begs the question: Is remote work possible in the healthcare industry? Here, we will explore how remote work could benefit healthcare workers and how it can be applied in the healthcare system.

The Challenge of Remote Work in Healthcare

Historically, remote work has been challenging to implement in the healthcare industry because of the need for direct patient care. Many healthcare jobs require healthcare workers to be physically present to provide care and conduct tests.

Healthcare organizations are also subject to strict regulations and standards of care. In some instances, it can be difficult to adhere to these rules when providing care remotely, such as through telehealth.

However, with advancements in technology and communication systems, it is becoming possible for some healthcare professionals to work remotely. For example, telemedicine has made it possible for physicians to consult patients over video conferencing systems. Similarly, nurses can use remote monitoring systems to check in on patients without being physically present.

These care providers are also supported by a significant number of administrative employees, many of whom could complete their work remotely.

The Benefits of Remote Work in Healthcare

Employees enjoy working remotely because it removes the need for them to commute, allows them to be closer to their families, and enables them to accomplish work from the comfort of their homes. Organizations have also realized that remote work programs can contribute to employee well-being.

Employees who have the option to work from home could choose to do so if they are struggling with issues like stress and burnout, for example. Creating this type of flexibility can also help employees address personal needs like childcare, medical appointments, and personal care more easily.

According to an article in Harvard Business Review, the three "crucial” advantages of remote work for organizations are:

• Improving workplace safety
• Helping to overcome capacity restraints
• Enhancing efficiency and productivity

Workplace safety and capacity issues were particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, many healthcare organizations are interested in remote work to improve productivity and realize savings, but also so they can provide an extra benefit to attract and retain employees.

According to one two-year study by a Stanford professor, remote work even led to "an astounding productivity boost among the telecommuters equivalent to a full day's work.” The study also found that employee attrition decreased by 50% among telecommuters. Remote workers even took fewer breaks, called in sick less often, and took less time off.

Altogether, the company in the study saved almost $2,000 per employee on rent by reducing its office space.

Making Remote Work Possible in a Healthcare Setting

How managers and HR leaders implement remote work programs will depend on the unique nature of their organizations. Hospitals, for example, may be able to successfully implement remote work programs for some of their employees, but they may not be able to extend such flexibility to all of them.

According to a Forbes article written by Jacob Kupietzky, the President of HealthCare Transformation, the first step to making remote work successful in a healthcare setting is identifying which types of work can be completed remotely. Some types of work, such as direct patient care, may be difficult or impossible to transition to remote status.

However, according to the article, "Functions like patient intake coordination, utilization and claims management, medical records management, community relations, and marketing can be done remotely.” The article cited an example from the community health network AltaMed, which transitioned more than 1,000 call center, medical management, HR, IT, and compliance employees to a work-from-home model and even enabled physicians and nurses to work from anywhere.

Examples like AltaMed show that not only is remote work a possibility in the healthcare industry, it could yield significant benefits for both employees and organizations.

Prepare for Remote Work at the Next HR Healthcare Event

Healthcare organizations have an opportunity to improve employee well-being, increase productivity, and reduce employee attrition by implementing remote work. Although this strategy can be challenging in the healthcare industry, HR leaders can identify prospective roles for remote work and provide employees with more flexibility in their work lives.

If you’re interested in learning more about remote work programs in the healthcare industry, don’t miss HR Healthcare 2023 happening from October 2^nd to October 3^rd at the Austin Marriot Downtown in Austin, Texas.

Download the agenda and register for the event today.