The Power of Outsourcing in Promoting Work-life Balance for Phoenix Medical Professionals

Arizona is dealing with a medical professional shortage exacerbated by economic and social factors. This shortage impacts the well-being of medical personnel, leading to increased workloads and burnout, strained patient relationships, and less time for personal matters. 

Business process outsourcing (BPO) can be a practical solution to address this issue. Specifically, third-party virtual assistants in Phoenix can offer relief and support to healthcare professionals. 

Continue reading to learn how to improve work-life balance among Phoenix medical workers through outsourcing.

Staff Shortage Prevailing in the Phoenix Healthcare Industry

12News reports that Arizona faces an overwhelming medical staff shortage, affecting doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and surgical techs. Adding to the workforce pressure is the growth of the senior population, with one of every five Americans expected to retire by 2030.

The news site adds that such a shortfall might lead to nurses taking over other work responsibilities. This situation will likely cause increased burnout and attrition among understaffed nurses. Patients might also experience stress due to the need for assistance, leading to canceled operations and a subpar care experience.

In a related report, the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) cites Grand Canyon State as among the top five locations with the most severe healthcare staffing gaps as of January 2022. In 2025, the demand for skilled nurses will rise by 23%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects about 195,400 registered nursing roles to be available between 2021 and 2031.

ABC15 Arizona also notes that Phoenix, Arizona’s most prominent metropolis, has an aging population. In 2020, the proportion of persons under 18 declined by nearly three percentage points from 2010 to 23.5%, while those over 65 climbed from 12.3% to 16.6%. These figures indicate more seniors will likely seek medical services, increasing demand for personnel.

How Staff Shortage Affects Work-life Balance Among Medical Workers

The ongoing labor shortage in the healthcare industry hurts medical professionals’ capacity to maintain an excellent work-life balance. They must take care of their general wellness to provide the best patient care and continue fulfilling their responsibilities in the demanding healthcare industry.

The following are the potential effects of staff shortages on the work-life balance of medical personnel: 

• Increased workload. Staff shortages directly translate to increased workloads for medical professionals. This heightened burden results in longer working hours, elevated stress levels, and increased difficulty meeting patient care demands.
• More instances of burnout. Employee scarcity contributes to burnout in medical professionals, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. Extended exposure to increased workloads and performance pressure without enough support intensifies burnout.
• Strained patient relationships. The effects of workforce deficits extend beyond healthcare professionals. Increased workloads diminish the time and attention dedicated to patients, leading to reduced satisfaction, compromised communication, and a potential decline in the overall healthcare experience.
• Limited time for continuing education. Staff shortages limit medical workers’ time and energy for additional training, hindering their participation in conferences and workshops. This impediment impacts professional growth and the quality of patient care.
• Less attention on personal lives. Workforce deficiencies affect medical professionals’ private lives. Increased workload and burnout diminish their capacity to enjoy hobbies and quality moments with loved ones. The perpetual on-call state and workload unpredictability make achieving a satisfactory work-life balance challenging.
• Difficult recruitment and retention. The stressful, understaffed environment might discourage potential candidates or lead current professionals to explore alternative career paths. It perpetuates the cycle of shortages, exacerbating work-life balance challenges for those already in the healthcare system.

Achieving Work-life Balance Through Outsourced Activities

Enabling work-life balance through outsourcing is a groundbreaking approach for Phoenix medical professionals who want to escape the onerous demands of their professions. 

Delegating certain activities or operations to BPO companies allows healthcare workers to focus on their primary duties while freeing up valuable time for personal pursuits.

Consider the following activities that Phoenix healthcare organizations can outsource to healthcare BPO providers to improve their staff’s overall well-being:

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)

The revenue cycle includes everything from patient registration and appointment scheduling through claim processing and collection. Effective RCM is indispensable for medical practices to maintain a solid financial position.

Work-life balance is more viable through outsourcing because service providers help simplify RCM processes by:

• Streamlining all segments of the revenue cycle activity 
• Lowering employee administrative burdens
• Raising cash flow by swiftly processing insurance claims
• Reducing claim errors and rejections

Medical Billing and Coding

Medical billing and coding are essential healthcare BPO services. Precise and timely billing enables healthcare providers to get the correct payments for services rendered. 

However, these complex operations require a complete understanding of coding systems, insurance standards, and payment procedures.

Delegating medical billing and coding duties to BPO organizations helps medical workers to:

• Generate proper coding and billing documents 
• Reduce claim denials and reimbursement delays
• Stay current with ever-changing payment policies
• Allow internal staff to pay more attention to patient service 

Information Technology (IT) Services

As healthcare becomes increasingly digital, effective administration of IT systems and electronic health records (EHRs) is more crucial. The IT network must simultaneously support clinical services, data privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Transferring IT services and EHR administration to BPO firms helps medical staff with the following:

• Keeping IT systems safe and effective
• Adhering to data security rules
• Obtaining assistance from healthcare technology professionals
• Reserving in-house IT personnel for higher-value activities

Medical Transcription

Correct and organized patient records are necessary to deliver first-rate, life-saving treatment. Converting physician accounts and memos into written documents is called medical transcription.

Handing over medical transcription tasks to third-party specialists has the following perks: 

• Maintaining reliable and systematic medical files 
• Reducing the amount of time and effort required for manual transcription
• Offering data processing solutions compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
• Allowing healthcare clients to zero in on patient care rather than administrative tasks

Telehealth Support

The COVID-19 pandemic fueled the popularity of telehealth services, which allow patients to receive treatment from a distance. Telehealth support comprises providing virtual healthcare services such as consultations, alerts, and monitoring.

Here’s how medical professionals’ work-life balance is supported by outsourcing telehealth functions to a nearshore or offshore BPO:

• Extend their reach to patients who might require assistance receiving in-person care
• Verify that telehealth services meet regulatory criteria
• Serve quick and easily accessible medical help

Pharmacy and Medication Management

Some healthcare workers, particularly those in long-term care facilities, might be obligated to provide pharmaceutical services to patients. Ensuring that medications are delivered accurately and on schedule is vital for patient safety.

Clinical practitioners can benefit from delegating pharmacy and drug management duties by:

• Improving medication dependability and compliance
• Preventing medication errors
• Ensuring that patients’ medications are provided on time
• Improving overall patient safety and quality of treatment 

Medical Answering Services

Patients might seek healthcare assistance outside regular business hours, and medical answering services provide a solution. These 24/7 services allow patients to book appointments, inquire about services, or contact healthcare providers in a crisis.

Subcontracting medical answering services to a healthcare process outsourcing company can help healthcare personnel:

• Confirm that patients can call healthcare providers anytime
• Make appointments and answer inquiries quickly
• React to crises professionally and sympathetically
• Maximize patient satisfaction by being approachable and attentive

Credentialing and Provider Enrollment

Credentialing and provider enrollment are crucial for healthcare professionals. These functions verify the qualifications and eligibility of medical providers when charging for services through insurance companies and government programs.

Outsourcing credentialing and provider enrollment to a third-party provider allows healthcare personnel to:

• Avoid the lengthy and challenging certification process
• Evaluate if providers are permitted to charge for services
• Reduce reimbursement bottlenecks caused by credentialing issues
• Follow the insurance company’s guidelines

Compliance and Regulatory Support

Healthcare professionals must abide by healthcare regulations. Noncompliance can result in legal penalties and adverse publicity. Compliance assistance includes monitoring and maintaining compliance with applicable legislation.

Third-party compliance and regulatory services benefit clinical practitioners in the following ways:

• Stay current on healthcare law and regulations
• Carry out audits to identify and rectify compliance issues
• Establish and enforce compliance policies and procedures
• Reduce the possibility of legal or regulatory repercussions

Medical Records Management

Medical records management is a critical duty for healthcare providers. It comprises storing, maintaining, and using patient records, including EHRs and physical documents.

Work-life balance is possible through outsourcing medical records administration duties to a BPO firm. Here’s how clinical practitioners can benefit from the strategy:

• Make more physical space available in hospitals and clinics, especially rehab clinics.
• Protect the confidentiality and security of patient records
• Improve the structure and accessibility of patient data

Medical Research and Data Analysis

Medical research and data analysis require keeping up with recent drugs, treatments, clinical procedures, and healthcare developments. Clinical studies, outcome examinations, and information-driven choices are components of research projects.

Entrusting medical research and data analysis to an outsourcing firm enables healthcare practitioners to:

• Learn about medical research and get specific knowledge and experience
• Conduct clinical trials and research adequately
• Analyze patient data for advanced therapy outcomes
• Design evidence-based patient care techniques
• Contribute to the digitalization of documents

Patient Surveys and Feedback

Collecting and understanding patient feedback is critical to enhancing medical services. Patient feedback and survey methods give insights into patient experiences and the potential for improvement.

Allowing a BPO partner to administer patient surveys and collect feedback can help medical providers:

• Gather pertinent patient feedback on their healthcare experiences
• Examine areas where care delivery can be enhanced
• Improve patient happiness and loyalty
• Measure performance using defined standards

Medical Equipment Maintenance

Upkeeping medical equipment and devices is necessary for the safety and effectiveness of healthcare services. Equipment maintenance includes regular inspections, repairs, and compliance with regulatory standards.

BPO enterprises manage medical equipment maintenance, assisting medical workers in the listed ways and thus enabling work-life balance through outsourcing.

• Facilitating the safe and seamless operation of medical equipment and machinery
• Observing mandatory maintenance and service standards
• Minimizing equipment downtime and disruptions in patient care
• Increasing the utility of costly medical equipment

Improving Work-life Balance for Medical Staff Through Outsourcing

Examine how enhanced work-life balance can be achieved through outsourcing.

Appropriate Task Distribution to Maintain Work Quality

Reducing workloads improves work-life balance. In contrast, imposing multiple deadlines on in-house workers hampers productivity, making it challenging for the team to handle tasks without compromising performance and quality. This situation might also compel them to take on tasks beyond their expertise or interest, potentially leading to long-term burnout.

Additionally, a sense of unfulfillment is among the numerous causes of personnel turnover. According to Gallup’s 2022 study, workers are increasingly disengaged and dissatisfied. Sixty percent indicated they were emotionally disconnected at work, while 19% were dissatisfied. 

Under these conditions, professionals might deliver subpar work and feel frustrated about not showcasing their skills. Outsourcing helps distribute tasks between third-party specialists and internal staff, enabling a manageable workload for each individual. This support helps employees stay focused and stress-free.

Reduced Job-related Stress to Improve Efficiency

A more relaxed work atmosphere enhances work-life balance. Distributing responsibilities proportionally between third-party professionals and in-house workers reduces job strain for Phoenix medical organizations, particularly during peak seasons or busy hours.

According to the latest survey, 45% of workers are overworked, understaffed, and tense. Outsourcing assists the organization in dealing with surges in business transactions, customer demands, and requests, especially when staffing is limited. 

The burden on employees is reduced with an adequate workforce, and work-life balance is improved through outsourcing. Healthcare professionals are also more likely to perform better in terms of mental health.

Competent Personnel Experts to Handle Intricate Staff Concerns

Better work-life balance can be realized through outsourcing human resources (HR) services. Adhering to ever-changing HR laws and regulations can be time-consuming. Addressing concerns about employee benefits, pay, and pension plans also requires significant time and effort from internal staff.

Outsourcing enables Phoenix healthcare organizations to utilize experienced HR professionals to handle compliance and other complex inquiries. It saves employees time on research and helps address complex HR issues that lead to reduced morale and costly mistakes.

HR consultants can assist medical groups with time-consuming tasks such as: 

• Observing labor laws
• Calculating compensation by federal and local rules
• Implementing staff policies and procedures 
• Developing and fostering a diverse workplace
• Designing employee compensation plans
• Comparing competitive benefit options

Better Work-life Harmony Through Adoption of Best Practices

BPO businesses utilize tried-and-true tactics to reduce staff turnover and boost morale. A solid third-party workforce helps preserve balance in Phoenix medical organizations.

A better work-life balance can be achieved through outsourcing since third-party vendors use proven best practices. They can assist their clients by implementing the following strategies:

• Offer incentives and acknowledge workers. BPO providers frequently express gratitude to deserving personnel, encouraging them to reconsider leaving. Third-party HR specialists provide constructive feedback, fostering appreciation and recognition among team members.
• Re-train and improve expertise. Workers are eager for upskilling and training to enhance or acquire new abilities, with some prioritizing better training over a pay increase. Since service providers boost staff growth opportunities, they ensure stable, long-term teams to help with outsourced tasks. 
• Provide flexibility. Options such as remote work and flexible shifts enable professionals to perform tasks from their preferred locations at various hours.

Robust Work Setting for Superior Staff Retention and Balance

An excellent work-life balance is possible by elevating organizational culture through outsourcing. The accepted ideas, rules, and practices of the work environment shape the experience of every Phoenix worker, including medical professionals. 

Culture is one of the essential variables driving employee retention. The greater the business culture, the better employee retention and work-life harmony. In-house HR departments may need to enhance organizational culture to prevent employee dissatisfaction and turnover.

They might also require extra time and effort for employee engagement initiatives and communication opportunities to gather and analyze worker feedback and foster stronger relationships among staff. 

A service provider with HR expertise can help the internal team improve organizational culture, increasing retention and work-life balance through outsourcing for the Phoenix healthcare provider.

Considerations for Picking the Best BPO Provider

Consider these valuable tips to promote work-life balance through outsourcing with the ideal BPO partner:

• Appropriate size. Choose a service provider that is the right size for the healthcare organization’s workforce headcount. Smaller organizations might prefer service providers at the same level. They will likely concentrate more on your processes compared to more prominent partners that might focus on higher-value customers. 
• In-depth industry familiarity. Employ a BPO provider that is well-versed in the healthcare sector. When a third-party vendor thoroughly comprehends the industry’s specific challenges, trends, and prospects, it provides superior services and solutions. This will aid in improving procedures, resulting in a better work-life balance for in-house workers.
• Broad services. Pick a third-party vendor that can supply various healthcare offshoring services. Obtaining all outsourced services via a single BPO company might be more convenient than outsourcing them to two or more providers.
• Notable qualifications. Find a BPO vendor with qualifications and accreditations demonstrating their knowledge and ability. Certifications from industry and academic institutions demonstrate credibility. Arizona State University’s Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professionals is one example.  
• Sterling track record. Request testimonials from prospective BPO providers, which must be confirmed later. Look for independent web reviews to learn more about the candidates. 

The Bottom Line

The persistent labor shortage in the Phoenix healthcare industry adversely affects medical professionals’ ability to maintain the healthy work-life balance needed to deliver optimal patient care and sustain a fulfilling career.

Ensuring work-life balance through outsourcing means allowing healthcare professionals to delegate tasks, reduce workload, and enhance efficiency. Outsourced functions generate a supportive work environment, improve patient care, and contribute to the well-being of medical professionals in Phoenix.

Let’s connect if you want to learn more about promoting work-life balance for Phoenix medical organizations through outsourcing!