The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the healthcare system in the United States, changing patient volumes and medical service delivery. A McKinsey survey shows that U.S. hospital patient volumes are slowly moving back to pre-COVID-19 levels. However, many challenges remain, especially concerning specialty care access and operational efficiencies.
According to the McKinsey survey, outpatient and surgical volumes have not fully returned to 2019 levels, indicating uneven recovery across services. Some hospital leaders note an increase in overall patient volumes, but outpatient services, especially elective surgeries, are still feeling the pandemic’s impact. Approximately 60% of hospital leaders reported that access to specialty care has worsened since 2019, raising concerns about the availability of needed medical services.
A considerable number of respondents mentioned that scheduling new patient appointments with specialists has become more difficult. New patients now experience average wait times of over 14 days, a significant increase compared to the shorter wait times seen before the pandemic. This extended scheduling period reflects both operational issues and patient frustrations as healthcare systems handle backlogged demands for specialty care, particularly in surgical areas.
Staffing shortages continue to be a major issue affecting healthcare delivery. An overwhelming 90% of hospital leaders identified staffing shortages as a crucial barrier to elective procedure capacity. Difficulties in hiring and retaining clinical support staff and physicians have resulted in decreased operational efficiency. Surgical specialties, such as plastic and orthopedic surgery, report severe staffing challenges that impact their ability to meet current patient needs.
As capacity declines due to insufficient staff, many providers are struggling with backlogs created during the peak of COVID-19, trapping them in a cycle that delays patient care. This gap threatens to exacerbate existing problems around patient access, especially as health systems begin to see an uptick in patient demand.
Despite these challenges, some positive trends are evident. Emergency department visits are reportedly higher than pre-2019 levels across regions, suggesting that patients are starting to return to the healthcare system. Outpatient and procedural volumes are also inching closer to recovery, with some areas reporting volumes 3-4% above 2019 levels as of mid-2021.
However, recovery varies markedly across specialties. Surgical specialties, in particular, are lagging behind. Nine out of the ten specialties with the lowest clinic volumes were surgical in nature. This trend reflects that elective and non-emergent procedures are still significantly impacted, primarily due to staffing shortages and operational inefficiencies.
The pandemic has also led to greater use of virtual healthcare. It is estimated that virtual outpatient visits constituted about 14% of all visits in 2022, particularly in family medicine and psychiatry. Such advancements in telemedicine are helpful in reducing patient wait times and addressing pressures on physical clinic capacities.
Healthcare systems are actively taking steps to increase outpatient access as they work towards normalcy. More than half of the respondents from hospitals indicated plans to extend clinic hours to manage the surge in demand. This approach aims to alleviate some pressures resulting from long wait times in specialty care.
Additionally, hospitals are looking to hire more physicians and clinical support staff as part of recovery strategies. By increasing productivity expectations and enhancing marketing efforts, healthcare administrators aim to engage patients better, thus addressing ongoing access challenges.
The issue of pent-up demand for elective surgeries is still significant. Many medical practices are still functioning at reduced capacities, and patients who postponed care during the pandemic now seek treatment. The demand is predicted to surpass capacity in specialties like psychiatry and orthopedic surgery in the coming months, presenting further challenges for healthcare providers.
As these challenges persist, artificial intelligence (AI) and workflow automation play an important role in improving operational efficiency and patient throughput. AI technologies are increasingly capable of automating various aspects of front-office operations, including managing phone inquiries and appointment scheduling.
As healthcare systems continue to recover from COVID-19, integrating AI and workflow automation can help address operational inefficiencies. These technologies provide a means to enhance patient engagement and improve service delivery amid ongoing staffing shortages.
The journey to recovery for U.S. hospitals is filled with challenges, including staffing shortages, operational improvements, and ensuring quality care access. Healthcare administrators and IT managers must understand the dynamics of specialty care access and the impact of emerging technologies to achieve better patient outcomes.
As the industry navigates pent-up demand, healthcare leaders will need to adapt, adopting innovative solutions that align with patient needs. By implementing strategic changes and using advanced technologies, healthcare systems can improve care quality and accessibility while preparing for future challenges.
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