In response to the ongoing Health Human Resource (HHR) crisis, the Canadian College of Health Leaders’ 2024 National Conversation brought together experts, researchers, and members to dialogue and prioritize leadership actions required to address the HHR crisis. Consequently, CCHL has created a Checklist for Engaging and Empowering Health Human Resources, summarizing the actions taken by health leaders across Canada, and is now available and promises to provide actionable strategies for retaining current healthcare workers and preparing for an influx of younger professionals.
The HHR crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to unprecedented levels of burnout, absenteeism, and turnover among healthcare workers. High patient workloads, resource scarcity, and fears for personal safety have placed immense pressure on the workforce. These issues were highlighted during Health Canada’s 2022 Health Human Resources Symposium, which identified five key challenges: recruitment for future needs, retention of healthcare workers, workforce mental health and well-being, data support for effective workforce planning, and productivity models of care.
The newly released Checklist offers a comprehensive approach to tackling these challenges, emphasizing engagement and communication, recruitment and retention, safety and wellness, recognition and appreciation, staff support and development, and leadership practices.
As the healthcare system continues to face significant challenges, this Checklist represents a proactive step towards ensuring a sustainable, engaged, and empowered healthcare workforce in Canada.
Click here to access the Checklist
Recap of the 2024 CCHL National Conversation
A white paper was published to highlight the summaries of the key findings. Download the full document here.
About the CCHL National Conversation
The CCHL National Conversation is an opportunity for CCHL members from across the country to learn more about and contribute to advancing thought leadership on a priority topic facing health leaders with the intention to support effective health leadership within and beyond the CCHL community. We aim to achieve this by gathering our members in an expert-informed dialogue on a specific topic of priority facing Canadian health care, collecting thoughts on the leadership skills required to address the topic, and by disseminating an Executive Summary of the National Conversation through networks across Canada.
