Health systems nationwide are grappling with a critical and intensifying challenge: how to attract and retain the next generation of clinical talent.
With the physician shortage not showing signs of slowing down, organizations are in dire need of new strategies to retain the talent they’ve cultivated, while also appealing to younger clinicians who will be essential to meeting the rising demand for care.
Unlike many of their more seasoned counterparts who may be comfortable with legacy systems and processes, today’s Millennial and Gen Z clinicians have grown up with technology that makes their lives more efficient. And, for better or worse, they expect the same from their workplaces.
For this new generation of talent, access to innovative tools isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a deciding factor in where they choose to work and stay long-term. They’re walking in the door asking a different set of questions – ones rooted in a digital-native mindset. And for organizations hoping to remain competitive, it’s clear: embracing cutting-edge technology is essential to the longevity of their operations and retaining the best and brightest clinicians and doctors.
The Technology Expectations of Younger Providers
Younger clinicians are unwilling to accept outdated, manual workflows. Their tolerance for“busy work” surrounding their practice is lower, and many of them lack staff support compared to their predecessors.
Years ago, they used to ask, “Can I get a scribe when I join the practice?” Now it’s, “Do you have ambient AI? Do you have DAX Copilot? Do you have Suki?”
Soon, they’ll also be asking, “Do I have an AI assistant that’s working for my surgical practice?” They want access to the instruments and workflows that enable them to jumpstart their practice and enhance the patient experience from day one. Otherwise, fairly, they will be left to wonder, “how will I compete?” and “why should I be asked to accept a sub-par level of practice for myself or care for my patients?”
These are individuals who utilize technology to drown out the noise around them. They outsource their cooking and cleaning, use apps for planning, and are heavily engaged with tools like ChatGPT. They’re not willing to go backward – and certainly not when they’re at work. Just as health systems invest in the very latest in robotics and clinical treatments to better care for patients and attract talent, they need to prioritize AI investments that improve outdated operations.
Where Technology Can Make the Biggest Impact
Some of the clearest advancements are happening in areas that target everyday friction points in clinical workflows.
The rise of ambient AI scribes has already transformed the clinical experience. Having AI listen in and take notes during clinical work is game-changing. It’s a huge leap from hours spent sitting in front of a terminal and typing or dictating to Dragon.
But that’s just the beginning. AI is now being applied to patient preparation before surgery, automated clearance protocols, and even practice management. And there’s growing interest in AI assistants that support high-performing surgical practices.
On the back end, it’s also starting to transform proactive patient care. For example, after an operation, we’ve traditionally been reactive – waiting for patients to call if there’s a problem. But problems happen that could have been mitigated with proactive outreach. These tools help address that.
What Health Systems Must Do
Too often, younger providers aren’t informed about the tools available to them. The reality is that, in most cases, the specifics of practice support aren’t communicated, even more commonly, they are not committed, and sometimes even, colleagues are led to believe they will practice enablers that never materialize – even basics like scribe support, referral base, access surgical instruments or block time. Health systems should lead with that information, transparently. It should be a source of pride, even a source of differentiation.
They also need to play the long game. An all-star clinician can remarkably transform the trajectory of a health system – and they want the all-star tools at their disposal. They’ll attract clinicians of the same caliber and build long-term loyalty amongst staff. Many of those people, if they have a great experience, will stay for the balance of a career. But the health system has to invest in developing their talent and do whatever they can to provide leverage – and that won’t be by having the clinician behind the desk spending hours on notes or other clinical administrative work.
Having a tool is one thing; but what good are best-in-class tools if providers aren’t taught how to use them? Very little training exists right now within medical school or residency about AI, and the concept of continuous support and education on AI within health systems is relatively new. Health systems should partner with leaders in the industry to help train providers on how to utilize tools within the context of their electronic health records (EHR).
The Impact for Health Systems
The payoff is clear. The best providers, those who have options, are choosing to work where they can utilize tools that enhance their quality of life and practice. AI allows them to focus on the clinical work that matters.
If you want to grow your next generation of talent, you need to empower them to do just that – clinically excel, without the burden of avoidable administrative chaos.
At the end of the day, you can’t just expect that a new hire is going to walk into a perfect setup. And you can’t rely on yesterday’s infrastructure to support tomorrow’s providers.
Technology isn’t a perk anymore. It’s part of what defines a competitive and sustainable health system. The institutions that recognize this and act accordingly will be the ones that win the talent, improve patient outcomes, and lead the future of care.
About David Atashroo, MD
Dr. David Atashroo is Chief Medical Officer, Perioperative, at Qventus. In this role he leads the design and direction of the Qventus Perioperative Solution, which uses AI and automation to optimize OR utilization and drive strategic surgical growth. He holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Missouri-Columbia and trained in plastic surgery at the University of Kentucky before completing his postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition to his role at Qventus, Dr. Atashroo continues his clinical practice at the University of California-San Francisco.
