The COVID-19 Pandemic and the US Health Care Workforce
Gail R. Wilensky
Abstract
The forces in play during the COVID-19 pandemic-driven slowdown and recession have affected the demand for health care and, consequently, the willingness of hospitals, health care systems, and clinician group practices to continue employing health care workers at prepandemic levels. The pandemic also has reduced the willingness of some health care professionals to continue working in health care, independent of shifts in the demand of their services. What these COVID-19 pandemic-related effects signal for the US health care workforce in the future is important to consider.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicWorkforce2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Health careCoronavirus InfectionsBusinessMedicinePolitical scienceVirologyOutbreakDiseasePathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)LawGlobal Health Workforce IssuesPrimary Care and Health OutcomesHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout