The shortage of healthcare workers has several significant impacts on public health:
1. Decreased Access to Care: With fewer healthcare professionals available, patients may experience longer wait times and reduced access to necessary medical services. 2. Increased Workload: Existing healthcare workers face increased workloads, which can lead to higher rates of mistakes and reduced quality of care. 3. Epidemic Response: A shortage of healthcare workers can severely hamper the ability to respond to epidemics and pandemics, as seen with the COVID-19 crisis. 4. Health Inequities: Vulnerable populations, including those in rural and underserved areas, are disproportionately affected by healthcare worker shortages, exacerbating existing health inequities.
