Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index Declines Slightly in First Quarter

BOSTON, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index reveals confidence levels among healthcare workers declined by 3.0 points to 54.5 in the first quarter of 2013. U.S. healthcare workers are less confident about their ability to find a job and in the strength of the overall economy, yet a majority still believe they could find new jobs. The online survey, conducted in January through March, 2013 by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Healthcare, surveyed 183 healthcare workers, including physicians, healthcare administrators and other healthcare professionals.

"Although our Index took a turn this quarter, we must not forget that not only did all other indices we track decline, but the Index remains above 50.0—indicating a positive confidence level," said Steve McMahan, executive vice president of Randstad US, Professionals. "Employment gains in the healthcare industry continued to appear in March, adding 23,000 jobs to the economy, primarily within ambulatory services and hospitals. Also, with the enactment of many of the Affordable Care Act mandates around the corner, the industry is projected to grow even faster. Specifically, the new healthcare law will require the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) that meet "meaningful use" criteria or face huge penalties and missed Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements starting in 2015. The implementation and training needed to meet these new requirements is one major factor that will fuel job growth in the industry in next year or two. Following that period, the need for healthcare professionals will continue to be in full effect for years to come as an aging baby boomer population will need regular and complex care.

"The demand for healthcare professionals remains high, placing pressure on facilities to recruit and retain workers. Health systems are faced with high physician turnover, which according to a survey by the American Medical Group Association rose to 6.8 percent in 2012 from 6.5 percent in 2011. That represents the highest rate since data was first collected in 2005 and exceeds pre-recession levels. While we are seeing increased numbers of clinical graduates than in recent years, experienced clinicians are difficult to find. All in all, many trends taking place this year point to a very bright outlook for this sector."

Q1, 2013 Survey Highlights:

Slight Decrease in Number of Healthcare Workers Who Believe More Jobs Are Available

• In the first quarter of 2013, 21 percent of healthcare workers believe there are more jobs available, falling one percentage point from the fourth quarter of 2012. More than half of healthcare workers surveyed (52 percent) believe there are fewer job opportunities available, rising seven percentage points from to the previous quarter.

Healthcare Workers Less Likely to Job Search in First Quarter

• In the next 12 months, 26 percent of healthcare workers say they are likely to look for a new job, representing a decrease of five percentage points from the previous quarter.

Majority of Healthcare Workers Confident They Can Find a New Job

• More than half of healthcare workers surveyed (54 percent) indicated they are confident they could find a job in the next 12 months. This reflects a decrease from 58 percent in the previous quarter.

Slight Decrease in Employer Confidence Among Healthcare Workers

• Nearly six in ten (58 percent) healthcare workers feel confident in the future of their company, declining slightly by four percentage points from the previous quarter.

Healthcare Workers' Confidence in the Economy Dropped in First Quarter

• Just 22 percent of healthcare workers say the economy is getting stronger this quarter, a decrease of seven percentage points compared to Q4 2012. Forty-one percent of healthcare workers believe the economy is weakening, showing no change from the previous quarter.

To view the latest quarterly trends report, click here. 

Survey Methodology 
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Healthcare from January 14-16, February 11-13, and March 5-7, 2013, among 3,631 adults ages 18 and older, of which 183 are employed in healthcare, which included physicians, healthcare administrators, as well as other healthcare professionals. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].

About Randstad Healthcare 
Randstad Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the U.S. and offers market leading, all-inclusive healthcare staffing solutions. Randstad Healthcare has been matching healthcare professionals with career opportunities at America's top healthcare facilities for over 25 years. From large hospital systems and rural medical centers, to physician groups, insurance companies, clinics, and Fortune 500 companies, Randstad Healthcare offers full-service staffing capabilities, including physicians, nurses, advanced practice, case management, allied health, and vendor managed services. For more information, please visit www.randstadhealthcare.com

About Randstad  
Randstad is a $22.0 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has approximately 29,300 corporate employees and around 4,500 branches and inhouse locations in 39 countries around the world. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam.

Learn more at www.randstadstaffing.com and access Randstad's panoramic US thought leadership knowledge center through its Workforce360 site that offers valuable insight into the latest economic indicators and HR trends shaping the world of work.

SOURCE Randstad Healthcare