A2: Data-Driven Workforce Optimization: A Sentara Case Study

Medical groups depend on accurate data to make solid business decisions. Comprehensive provider supply and demand data is no exception. It is used to make determinations on the number and type of providers practicing within a specific geography, what type of providers should be recruited, how to make accurate succession planning decisions, and where new and existing providers in the market should practice to improve access. Thus, getting to this accurate data and learning how to use it optimally are important for hospitals and health systems looking to grow, to manage costs and to better meet clinical needs. Sentara Health is an integrated, not-for-profit healthcare delivery system and one of the largest health systems in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and among the top 20 largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country. To support their 12 urban and rural hospitals and medical groups in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, Sentara utilizes a programmatic approach to workforce planning. This session shares their process for how to collect and use accurate, real-time data to drive their provider recruitment plans across their markets and overall strategic workforce planning and the outcomes of such an approach.