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| The Monthly Pulse |
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| Attack of “The -Ations” Brings Continued Demand for Healthcare Staffing |
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| The Story |
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| Although COVID-19 vaccines have instilled hope that healthcare will soon reach a level of normalcy resembling that of pre-pandemic days, three major trends continue to affect the industry. Known collectively as “the -ations,” resignations, cancellations, and vaccinations will likely weigh on healthcare well into 2022, prompting an increased reliance on staffing suppliers to maintain a sufficient workforce. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| While the chaos of the pandemic’s earliest days may have subsided, healthcare leaders mustn’t underestimate the obstacles that lie ahead. Many healthcare organizations have a backlog of surgical procedures resulting from decisions to temporarily cancel elective procedures. This is compounded by the 530,000 healthcare and social assistance workers who had resigned in 2021 (as of August) as well as a 1% to 5% loss of staff prompted by vaccine mandates. Through 2022, staffing shortages will continue to affect healthcare, but leveraging staffing suppliers could help fill vacancies in critical areas, such as operating rooms.
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| The Shadow Pandemic: COVID-19’s Impact on Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health |
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| The Story |
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| Healthcare workers experienced a host of mental health challenges following the pandemic, including anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, and mood changes. Psychologists are referring to this effect as “the shadow pandemic” and predicting that it will continue to affect providers for years to come, especially if left unaddressed. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| Symptoms similar to PTSD have been reported among many healthcare providers across the globe following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. From intense working conditions to restrictions on seeing loved ones, these professionals have endured a burden that has prompted nearly 1 in 5 to quit their jobs. Experts predict absenteeism, reduced productivity, and staffing shortages will persist. Yet, they also say that healthcare leaders can play a role in fostering mental health among their workforce with strategies to combat burnout, anxiety, and depression, such as incorporating structural moments of self-care into shifts.
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| CMS Releases 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Rule |
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| The Story |
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| The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. Effective January 1, 2022, the rule impacts PAs, physicians, and other healthcare providers. |
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| What You Should Know |
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| One major change brought on by the rule is the ability for PAs to accept direct payment from the Medicare program instead of having to go through their employer, which will free them up to own a practice or become independent contractors while still accepting Medicaid. The rule also updates the policies for split (or shared) Evaluation and Management (E/M) visits, allowing visits in skilled and non-skilled nursing facilities to be eligible for split (or shared) billing and updating the terms under which physicians and PA must bill Medicare when performing services jointly. Additionally, the rule makes behavioral/mental health services more accessible for Medicaid beneficiaries through services such as telehealth. Finally, it increases the per visit payment limit for certified rural health clinics and lowers the Medicare payment conversion factor from $34.89 to $33.59.
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| Leadership Reflections |
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Intentions
As leaders, we are responsible to cast a vision and collaborate with our teams on setting and striving toward collective goals. There are many strategies like SMART goals to help with clarity, but they don’t generally address the why behind the goals. |
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| This year, I plan to set intentions before setting company and personal goals. An intention is an aim for change or impact that directs and aligns the more concrete actions and goals that follow. Combining intentions with goal setting allows us to bring values, purpose, and energy into the process. |
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I invite you to consider adding intentions to your 2022 goal setting and then…
- Share your intentions with me and let me know how I can support you
- Check in periodically for mutual support and accountability
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| Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022!
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| AAPPR Onboarding and Retention Certificate Course |
| Mon., Jan 24 to Tues., Jan 25 |
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| AAPPR Roundtable - Hiring Recent Graduates |
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| STS 58th Annual Meeting |
| Sat., Jan. 29 - Mon., Jan. 31 |
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| AAPA 2022 |
| Thurs., May 19 to Wed., May 25 |
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