Addressing the Lack of Clinical Skills Training in the U.S. Healthcare System

The U.S. healthcare system is facing a significant challenge: a growing skills gap among healthcare professionals. This gap is largely due to a lack of adequate clinical skills training being provided both within our University Systems (with many programs resorting to online templates with minimal hands-on experience). All of this has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Resignation. COVID left many Universities with no choice, but to switch to online learning platforms. Many schools had to eliminate clinical rotations for nursing programs and other healthcare training roles. As a result, healthcare organizations are struggling to provide high-quality care, and new clinicians are entering the workforce without the necessary hands-on experience.

The Problem

The shortage of clinical skills training has several root causes:

1. Insufficient Clinical Sites: Many nursing and medical programs are unable to secure enough clinical sites for students to gain hands-on experience.
2. Faculty Shortages: There is a lack of qualified faculty to supervise and mentor students during clinical rotations. This is where many students will get their first hands on experience and be exposed to the clinical skills necessary to succeed in their roles.
3. Budget Constraints: Financial limitations often prevent healthcare facilities from expanding their training programs. And many facilities may not prioritize their education and training programs.
4. Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted clinical training schedules and reduced the availability of clinical placements and as a whole threw a large wrench in the process of training healthcare professionals.

Consequences

The lack of clinical skills training has serious implications:

• Patient Safety: Inexperienced clinicians are more likely to make errors, leading to potential patient harm. Patient harm can lead to a further domino effect on both the patient and healthcare system - causing further issues or complications not only severely negatively impacts the patient, but now also puts further strain on the healthcare system, requiring further high acuity level of care and further long term care needs. 
• Quality of Care: Without proper training, healthcare professionals may struggle to provide the highest standard of care. Poor quality of care also contributes to the domino effect stated above (in regards to patient safety).
• Employee Burnout: New clinicians often feel overwhelmed and unsupported, leading to high turnover rates. Lack of support leaves healthcare professionals feeling helpless and set up for failure. When healthcare professionals do not feel they are able to successfully perform their jobs, this not only causes further chronic stress for these healthcare professionals, but also directly contributes to a lack of job satisfaction, causing healthcare professionals to consider new careers altogether. 

Possible Solutions

To address this growing skills gap, several solutions can be implemented:

1. Increase Upskilling Initiatives: Healthcare organizations should invest in continuous training programs for current employees to ensure they stay up-to-date with the latest clinical practices, as well as providing new employees the opportunity to learn and train adequately before starting in their roles.
2. Strengthen Talent Pipelines: Collaborate with educational institutions to create robust training programs that include more hands-on clinical experiences. It is important for facilities and Universities to work together to create a more sustainable and effective training model. This model would benefit both the educational institution and the facilities - providing the students with greater training and hands-on experience, and providing the facilities with a more stable and consistent pipeline of new healthcare professionals.
3. Improve Curriculum Alignment: Ensure that educational programs are closely aligned with the skills needed in the workforce and ensure adequate training and proven competency prior to graduation. 
4. Utilize Technology: Implement virtual and augmented reality simulations to supplement hands-on training and provide more opportunities for practice and a deeper understanding of the skill.
5. Expand Clinical Sites: Work with hospitals and clinics to increase the number of available clinical sites for students - which benefits both the educational institution and facility as well.
6. Support Faculty Development: Provide resources and incentives for experienced clinicians to become educators and mentors. Especially with our aging healthcare workforce, now would be a fantastic time for these experienced and highly skilled professionals to pass along their knowledge and abilities to the next generation. 

Conclusion

The lack of clinical skills training in the U.S. healthcare system is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. By investing in upskilling initiatives, strengthening talent pipelines, and leveraging technology, healthcare organizations can bridge the skills gap and ensure that their workforce is well-prepared to meet the demands of modern healthcare. It's time to prioritize the development of clinical skills to improve patient outcomes and support the professional growth of healthcare workers.

What are your thoughts on these solutions? Do you think they could effectively address the skills gap?