200 calls a day, plus e-mail traffic and patients who are increasingly angry when they cannot reach the practice quickly enough — that is everyday life for MFAs in German medical practices. It is therefore not surprising that more and more medical professionals are turning their backs on practices. But they leave a gap there that cannot be filled in many places.
There is an acute shortage of staff in German medical practices
For several years now, practice owners have been complaining that they hardly find any well-trained non-medical staff anymore. Since the start of the pandemic, the situation has worsened once again. Because: The day-to-day work of MFAs has become even more challenging. In addition to normal day-to-day business, there is now also the organization of booster vaccinations, test regulations and thus even more paperwork. Manche Medical professionals reportthat they barely manage to drink or go to the toilet in between. And that with endless overtime and an average payment of around 2,500 euros gross per month. Doesn't exactly sound like a dream job, does it?
Staff don't even quit or apply for practice positions
Many MFAs understandably no longer want to sacrifice their mental and emotional health for their jobs and quit. Or they don't even apply for positions in medical practices that need to be filled urgently. As a result, the staff shortage is now so acute that doctors are forced to reduce their services or close their practice.
Latest study confirms the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector
This long-known threatening situation is confirmed by a study by the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Care (Zi). In the first half of 2021, the institute surveyed around 5,300 practice owners about their current staffing situation. The result: Around half of the surveyed practices are looking for staff. One of the biggest difficulties is that no applications are received. And even when practices receive applications, applicants are often not qualified enough. As a reason for the search for personnel, just under half of practice owners state that the existing staff has resigned.
Medical assistant is the most popular training profession
Paradoxically, the MFA profession is also the most popular among young people — particularly women. More than 90 percent of trainees are female. Nevertheless, the number of young men who want to learn the profession has risen sharply in the last ten years.
But this positive development does not change the fact that positions for trained specialists in practices can hardly be filled anymore. Because even when practices train their own MFAs, this often doesn't change the overall situation. According to the study, around 25 percent of trained medical professionals reject the offer of taking over the training practice.
Many MFA emigrate to the clinic after completing their training
After completing their training, many medical professionals choose to work in a clinic rather than in an established practice. Because working conditions in hospitals are often more attractive. In most cases, the staff is not directly exposed to the onslaught of patients and also often earn better than in a doctor's office.
Virchowbund spokesperson demands more money for medical professionals
The ENT doctor and spokesperson for the Virchowbund Dr. Dirk Heinrich sees the need for immediate action. In his opinion Would MFAs have to receive a state corona premium, which they are currently denied. In addition, health insurance companies would have to refinance higher salaries. Otherwise, a long-term death of practice in Germany is inevitable, Heinrich fears.
With these tips, you can keep your medical assistant
Finding qualified personnel has therefore never been as difficult for medical practices as it is today. It is therefore all the more important that you, as a practice owner, support and motivate your medical professionals as much as possible and make their daily work as pleasant as possible. Here are five tips on how to strengthen employee loyalty:
Tip 1: Organize regular team meetings
Communication within your team is essential, so set aside time for meetings regularly, about once a week. Address problems openly here and try to find solutions together. After all, a good interpersonal relationship with you and with colleagues is an important factor for your employees to remain faithful to practice.
Tip 2: Take into account the needs of your medical professionals
The daily work of your MFAs can be very exhausting or almost impossible to handle. Therefore, be considerate if your employees are not always able to respond immediately to your request. Respect break times, even during stressful phases. Because even if patients should be annoyed due to long waiting times, if your medical assistant resigns due to excessive workload, you won nothing.
Tip 3: Create diversity within your team
Studies repeatedly suggest that diverse teams are more successful when working together. Therefore, make sure that employees of different backgrounds, ages or even genders work together. For example, older professionals can share their wealth of experience with younger employees, while younger employees can drive new and innovative work processes forward.
Tip 4: Pay premiums
The fact that nursing staff in hospitals receive a corona bonus while medical professionals go empty-handed has caused great displeasure — and rightly so. Therefore, make sure that your staff is paid fairly. For example, with a reward for the outstanding performance of your employees during the influx of patients during the pandemic.
Tip 5: Value your MFAs
But probably the most important tip: Treat your employees with respect and appreciation. Be aware that your practice would not be able to survive without your medical professionals. Every day, signal to them that you're happy with their performance and tell them that too!
Reduce the workload of your medical professionals with Nelly
In addition to all these tips, you can also make everyday work easier for your MFA in a very concrete way and give it the gift of what it needs most: time.
That works with Nelly, for example. With the software, the anamnesis can be completely digitized and thus rapidly accelerated. Patient admission is quick and easy with a QR code on the patient's smartphone. Your MFA does not have to print out the medical history sheet, scan it or shred it later. This saves your MFA 90 minutes every day in which it can take a deep breath for a brief moment. Wir advise you without obligation and free of charge to your individual case!
The personal names used in this article always refer equally to all persons. Dual naming and alternate names are omitted in order to improve readability.
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