Helping Clinicians Fall Back In Love With Practicing Medicine Should Be Digital Health's Top Priority

Carey is a family nurse practitioner and mom of three. Over the last year she would see up to 100 patients during each shift at her urgent care clinic. Her patients were often frustrated and impatient, and they sometimes refused to wear a mask. Last December she was exposed to COVID-19 when her protective gear broke after being reworn too many times. Carey ultimately missed spending Christmas with her family and her employer never checked up on her during the two-week quarantine period.  

After hearing Carey’s story, we can’t be surprised to learn that one-in-five COVID-affected healthcare workers are now weighing quitting the practice of medicine. This is especially concerning when considering we’re already facing a growing shortage of nearly 150,000 physicians in the next decade. 

While the alarm bells are ringing loudly, I also see an incredible opportunity for the digital health industry to step up to the plate and invest the time and resources into helping clinicians fall back in love with practicing medicine.