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ROYAL Philips today announced findings from its study of 15 countries, the Future Health Index. It reveals the dedication and commitment of younger healthcare professionals to improve healthcare amidst COVID-19 and puts the spotlight on experiences and challenges that call for greater change within healthcare.
The findings reveal an exceptional attitude and belief in the work they do, gaps between medical training and actual practice, and their optimistic outlook for healthcare’s digital future.
At the onset of COVID-19, 82 percent of younger healthcare professionals surveyed in APAC countries said they are satisfied with their work, despite seeing more patients per week than their peers in the United States of America or the Netherlands.
With APAC countries’ focus and investments in digitalizing healthcare, younger healthcare professionals here are also convinced of the potential of data and technology to improve both their own work experience and that of their patients.
In the Philippines, COVID-19 has further highlighted the importance of deploying the right technologies for greater visibility and efficiency, even as hospitals cope with patient volumes and demand for medical resources.
Despite their dedication to their patients and firm belief in the work they do, younger healthcare professionals surveyed in APAC are concerned about the skills gaps they face, or a shortfall in career reality compared to their expectations during their medical education.
Alongside the digitalization of healthcare, APAC’s younger healthcare professionals also feel underprepared when dealing with data. Around half say their medical education prepared them a little or not at all for data-related aspects of their jobs such as analysis and interpretation. Despite this, 51 percent also say they receive continuous training in this area in their hospital and practice, in response to closing the data-related skills gaps.
At least half of APAC’s younger healthcare professionals believe they can drive change in how their hospital is changed or managed, yet among those who feel they can’t drive change or don’t know if they can, 48 percent feel that their voices and suggestions are not acted upon, listened or acknowledged
Despite the challenges faced, the FHI study also identified a clear demand among this generation of younger healthcare professionals for a work environment that fosters collaboration and offers flexibility.
Chief among these is creating a supportive environment and embracing technology to alleviate burdens and drive engagement. Key workplace factors important to APAC’s younger healthcare professionals surveyed when choosing where to work include having access to the latest medical equipment and technology, professional autonomy, a collaborative culture, and support of work-life balance.
“Younger healthcare professionals today shoulder the responsibility of transforming the future of healthcare, yet many still feel their views are unheard, experience hurdles in non-clinical aspects in practice, and are subject to stress as a result of their tireless dedication to caring for patients,” said Caroline Clarke, Market Leader, Philips ASEAN Pacific. “COVID-19 has revealed the gaps and opportunities for transformative healthcare change. Chief among them is nurturing and providing adequate support, platforms and adoption of digital technologies to empower healthcare professionals to act now for a better healthcare future.”
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