MGMA Week in Review: Celebrating Nurse Practitioners, Workforce Diversity, and Employee Engagement

In this week’s episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, Senior Editor Daniel Williams and Co-host Colleen Luckett bring you the latest updates and insights from the healthcare industry. Here's what you can expect: Highlights:National Nurse Practitioner Week:Celebrating the contributions of Nurse Practitioners (NPs), with inspiring stories of resilience and innovation, including NPs stepping up during emergencies in Wyoming, Alaska, and North Carolina.Growth of the Physician Assistant Workforce:A record number of newly certified PAs in 2023 reflects a growing and diversifying healthcare workforce, helping to address physician shortages.Return to Pre-COVID Staffing Levels:Clinical staffing levels are improving, yet rising patient demand continues to pressure healthcare teams. Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) are playing a significant role in bridging the gap.Combating Toxic Productivity:An article from the Harvard Business Review sheds light on the culture of overwork and its impact on well-being, urging leaders to prioritize quality over quantity in the workplace.Employee Engagement in Healthcare:Insights from the MGMA stat poll and the 2024 Leaders Conference session on enhancing employee engagement. Strategies include recognition programs, better benefits, and fostering purpose-driven work environments using models like PERMA and Ikigai. Sources and Resources Mentioned:Clinical Advisor: National Nurse Practitioner Week: Celebrate the People in the ProfessionMedical Economics: The Number of Physician Assistants Continues to GrowHealth Exec: Clinical Staffing Once Again at Pre-COVID LevelsHarvard Business Review: Let’s End Toxic ProductivityMGMA: Enhancing Employee Engagement to Optimize Retention How to Stay Connected:Sign up for MGMA Stat Polls to get weekly insights delivered directly to your inbox.Follow MGMA on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for updates and more resources. CareCredit Are your patients concerned about out-of-pocket costs? Is your practice looking for a way to help address those concerns and improve the patient experience? Then, you may want to consider offering the CareCredit credit card as a payment option. For over thirty-five years, CareCredit, a Synchrony solution, has been offering patients a way to pay for health and wellness expenses not covered by insurance. CareCredit can seamlessly integrate with your business and offer a valuable financing option for your patients so they can pay for services or products over time to help fit their budget. To learn more about how CareCredit works for you and your patients, visit  www.carecredit.com/mgmapodcast. NextGen Looking to transform your healthcare practice with AI? NextGen Healthcare is leading the way by leveraging artificial intelligence. It is helping practices improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance patient outcomes. From predictive analytics to automating routine tasks, NextGen Healthcare's AI solutions are revolutionizing the delivery of care. Don't miss out on the future of healthcare innovation. Visit https://www.nextgen.com/ today to learn how NextGen Healthcare can help you drive efficiency and elevate patient care.