Healthcare Workforce Crisis: Solutions and Insights from Experts at Forbes Healthcare Summit

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The pandemic marked a turning point in healthcare’s workforce crisis, and many health systems are still grappling with recovery, said Mallika Mendu, interim chief population health officer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, during this week’s Forbes Healthcare Summit.

The stress and burnout caused by the pandemic led to thousands of healthcare workers leaving the industry, and this issue persists despite the public health emergency ending. For instance, nursing homes continue to face a 15% attrition rate, which strains staffing and increases wait times for patients. Mendu noted that this often leads to more complex cases, putting additional pressure on clinicians.

Tina Shah, chief clinical officer at Abridge, echoed Mendu’s concerns, highlighting that physician burnout remains prevalent, with the drop in burnout rates likely due to survey non-responses rather than real improvement.

Both agreed that addressing the clinician shortage requires a multi-pronged approach. Mendu emphasized creating a positive work environment to retain staff, sharing insights from Brigham’s mortality review program, where positive feedback significantly boosted morale.

Shah pointed to promising solutions, including the rise of chief wellbeing officers and the adoption of software to reduce administrative burdens. She noted that 62% of doctors cite administrative tasks as a primary cause of burnout. Additionally, federal reforms starting in 2026 aim to streamline prior authorization, and states are introducing laws to ease this process.