The importance of staff training in healthcare is indisputable. Too often, though, healthcare organizations treat training simply as an item on their compliance checklist. For your organization and staff to achieve their potential, however, you must embrace training.
From retention to improved skills, culture, and care, emphasizing training can impact every aspect of your organization. Here are five ways that training can have a positive impact.
1. Training creates better service outcomes
According to Relias’ 2023 State of Healthcare Training and Staff Development report, 40% of individual contributors reported that staff training and development improved staff performance outcomes.
Many similar reports and studies point to the same conclusions on the importance of staff training in healthcare. For example, a study by the Council on Quality and Leadership found that consistent, ongoing staff training of direct support professionals in disability services resulted in a significant reduction in emergency room visits, incidents of abuse and neglect, and injuries among persons supported.
2. Improve knowledge, skills, and abilities
For your team to perform their best and provide high-quality care, mastering the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with their roles is essential. Research from the University of Birmingham has shown that KSAs have a positive correlation to overall team effectiveness.
Refocusing your training efforts to address these areas can help revitalize staff by keeping their skills fresh. It can also bolster your programs by creating a positive impact on client/patient outcomes.
3. Maintain compliance with state and federal requirements
Healthcare organizations need to adequately track and maintain compliance with state and federal requirements. Ensuring all staff are up to date with the required training can mitigate any financial risk you may face from quality assurance audits.
While 42% of managers reported in Relias’ 2023 State of Healthcare Training and Staff Development Report that their staff development and training programs have a positive impact on maintaining compliance with external training requirements, 23% of providers continue to track training using paper or word processing files. Just over half of managers (53%) of organizations track staff training completion through learning management system (LMS) software.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recommend COVID-19 workplace safety training for all organizations.
4. Quickly learn new skills
Constant change is another reason for the importance of staff training in healthcare. For example, in early 2020 many organizations had to quickly adapt to provide telehealth services and learn the necessary skills to do so.
The Relias 2023 State of Healthcare Training and Staff Development Report also found that many healthcare organizations have identified staff wellness as an opportunity for improvement. Both managers and staff within these organizations were aligned on this point. A higher percentage of managers (27%) than individual contributors (21%) identified that area of need.
Providing staff with high-quality content that can be deployed through e-learning modules is a safe and valuable employee resource. Providers can remain agile by offering their staff access to a wide variety of learning topics, so they can quickly gain new skills during times of change.
5. Improve staff retention and engagement through training that encourages career growth
It is important that organizations show appreciation for their employees and, better yet, provide the resources to bolster their employees for the long term. Investing in continuing education for employees’ career growth is one of the best ways to engage and retain staff.
A great example of this trend comes from the direct support profession.
In Relias’ 2003 DSP Survey Report, 65% of respondents said that they would be moderately to extremely more likely to stay with their current organization if it invested in employee well-being or mental health programs. This report also found that respondents value opportunities for professional development, so much so that 66% reported it as their preferred type of recognition.
2023 State of Healthcare Training + Staff Development Report
Training is crucial for clinical competence and optimal organizational performance.
With direct input from your peers, the 2023 State of Healthcare Training and Staff Development Report provides insights you can use to identify learning and development priorities, address industry challenges, and drive your organization forward.
Download this report to learn:
- Our 5 key findings that inform strategic planning
- Training drivers in healthcare organizations
- Views on work culture in terms of inclusivity
- How organizations are managing their learning
