Reimagining work to solve healthcare’s workforce crisis

Abstract

This paper presents a practical, scalable methodology for addressing persistent healthcare workforce challenges through work redesign. While labour shortages continue to strain healthcare delivery systems, traditional hiring strategies alone are no longer sufficient to address the issue. This paper outlines a replicable approach to increase capacity and resilience by redesigning work processes across both clinical and nonclinical roles. The methodology is built on three components: deconstructing existing work to uncover inefficiencies and hidden capacity; redeploying tasks to align with the optimal combination of human skill and automation; and reconstructing roles to increase productivity, reduce burnout and improve care team utilisation. The approach is grounded in labour data, time-on-task analysis and a clear understanding of change readiness across the organisation. A major element of the framework is the ability to assess the Return on Increased Performance (ROIP), which prioritises redesign efforts by evaluating the strategic value of performance improvements at the task level. The paper also explores how to integrate these changes into systems and culture, ensuring a lasting impact and enabling scalability. A case study from a large academic-affiliated health system demonstrates how the model can deliver tangible results: a 41 per cent increase in capacity in ambulatory operations without adding headcount, achieved by redistributing tasks, standardising processes and automating where appropriate. The paper offers a clear roadmap for rethinking roles, optimising workflows and embedding workforce transformation into healthcare operating models. The framework is evidence based, people centred and built for sustainability. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.