From getting rid of menial tasks to re-focusing energy, there are several ways leaders can help ease the burden for teams that are understaffed and overworked, according to a May 17 Harvard Business Review article.
The healthcare industry has been struggling with understaffing since before the pandemic, but since the mass trauma and stress that COVID-19 brought to the workplace, it has become more of an issue. Here are three strategies that may help leaders reassure overworked teams and reduce their level of burnout:
- Be selective regarding which projects are the most important and prioritize those initiatives to ensure staff aren't stretched too thin. This will help employees focus their efforts on the important projects and bring out their best.
- The number of policies and patients organizations have to manage is increasing. Prioritizing client service outcomes may mean restructuring the amount of time or way in which they receive service in a way that reduces employee workload for menial and unnecessary tasks while still caring for all.
- Quick interventions like automating data entry or converting paper forms to electronic forms can save time and effort for staff. Also consider whether longer tasks that are financial or operational can be taken on by external consultants to ease pressure on staff.