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Ascension has announced new investments aimed at improving clinician productivity and experience in response to ongoing changes in the healthcare sector. The organization cites rapid technological advancements, changing patient expectations, and demographic shifts as key factors driving transformation within the industry. Despite these advances, Ascension notes that significant gaps in healthcare access remain.
The organization points to a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians in the United States by 2036, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Contributing factors include increased demand for services, workforce bottlenecks, earlier retirements, and burnout among clinicians.
Ascension emphasizes the importance of reducing administrative burdens for physicians. The organization has implemented several programs focused on workforce development, retention, productivity, and technological innovation. One example is its partnership with Wellsheet (LINK), which provides software designed to save clinicians time by summarizing patient information into a single view and coordinating workflows across care teams. According to Ascension, clinicians using this technology have reported saving up to two hours per day.
In addition to workflow tools, Ascension has adopted voice-to-note technology that allows clinicians to focus on patients while medical-grade programs automatically generate draft clinical notes for review and finalization.
The organization is also expanding virtual care solutions to extend the reach of its clinicians. These technologies enable providers to serve more patients and deliver care in underserved rural areas where certain specialists may not be available in person.
Ascension operates one of the largest residency training programs in the country and is working to connect residents with recruiting opportunities that support a smooth transition from training into practice.
"Every physician wants to help patients live healthy, functional and meaningful lives. Delivering that kind of care requires a commitment to quality, time, and connection. We must provide the resources that allow doctors to step away from administrative tasks and focus on patient interactions."
"We believe that the future of healthcare depends on how we support those called to deliver it. Investing in physicians and advanced practice providers through smarter technology, innovative care models, meaningful engagement, and targeted workforce development is not optional. It is necessary for maintaining access, improving outcomes, and delivering compassionate care to every person we serve. If we are to meet the growing demands of tomorrow, we must act with urgency and purpose today."
