The big picture: Healthcare organizations globally are struggling to retain experienced clinicians due to widespread shortages, burnout, and increased competition for specialized skills.

Why it matters: This retention crisis directly impacts patient care quality and operational stability, forcing healthcare leaders to rethink long-term workforce planning and talent management strategies.

Between the lines:

• The WHO projects an 11 million health worker deficit by 2030, with Europe alone facing a 1.2 million shortage of doctors, nurses, and midwives in 2022.
• An aging workforce, with over a third of EU doctors and a quarter of nurses aged 55+, exacerbates the retention challenge.
• Burnout, demanding workloads, and limited control over working patterns are key drivers of clinician departures.

Staffing & HR impact: Staffing firms face increased pressure to source highly specialized healthcare talent, while HR departments must prioritize sustainable work environments and career development to improve retention and reduce turnover costs.

The bottom line: Proactive, long-term workforce planning focused on clinician well-being and career growth is essential to safeguard critical healthcare expertise.