As we navigate through the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, it has become increasingly important to understand the needs, opinions, and experiences of those who work within and are impacted by the healthcare system. The 2024 State of Healthcare Report by Soliant Health aims to paint a comprehensive picture of the current state of healthcare and provide a well-rounded understanding of the key issues facing healthcare today.
Through comprehensive surveys, the report uncovers the perspectives of various healthcare professionals and patient populations, identifying perceived challenges and shortcomings within the healthcare system while highlighting favored measures to improve it in the coming years. To understand patient perception of healthcare in 2024, Soliant commissioned an independent survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults across the nation who received healthcare services in the last two years. For insights into the healthcare landscape from the perspective of healthcare professionals, Soliant internally surveyed over 2,000 healthcare professionals of various roles in the Soliant network, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and administrators.
The healthcare landscape is complex, with numerous challenges and shortcomings that affect both healthcare providers and patients. By examining the experiences and perceptions of those on the frontlines, we hope to identify specific areas where improvements are needed and offer insights into potential solutions. This report covers a wide range of topics, including access to care, quality of care, patient and worker safety, health disparities, workforce challenges, and more.
The report reveals that both healthcare worker job satisfaction and patient satisfaction with services have declined in recent years. Both patients and healthcare workers highlight key changes that need to be made to improve the landscape throughout the report.
- Over half (54.4%) of healthcare workers say their job satisfaction decreased from 2021 to 2023. 31.9% of these respondents said it decreased significantly.
- Over a third (36.3%) of patients were dissatisfied with their healthcare experience and/or received a misdiagnosis in the last two years. Comparatively, only a quarter (25.6%) of patients agree they experienced a “high level of care” when receiving healthcare services in the previous two years.
The State of Healthcare, According to Healthcare Professionals
Working with limited staff or a shortage of workers was the most common issue faced by healthcare professionals in 2023 (26.31%), followed by worsening job burnout or mental health (18.14%). For patient care to improve in 2024, improving staffing ratios is the most favored solution from healthcare professionals (21.73%).
According to the survey of healthcare professionals, below are the most severe issues faced by respondents in 2023:
Which of the following was the largest issue while working in healthcare in 2023?
| Working with limited staff or a shortage of workers | 26.31% |
| Worsening job burnout or mental health | 18.14% |
| Working long hours or receiving few days off during peak seasonal times | 13.73% |
| High patient volumes and overcrowding | 13.40% |
| Not having time to give my full quality of care | 11.60% |
| Getting sick due to exposure while working | 7.52% |
| I have had no concerns | 3.59% |
| None of the above | 3.59% |
| Unintentionally providing unsatisfactory or poor medical care | 1.47% |
| Missing a diagnosis due to work volume | 0.65% |
According to the survey of healthcare professionals, below are the changes that will have the biggest impact on the quality-of-care patients receive in 2024:
Which of the following changes to healthcare professionals would have the biggest impact on the quality of care to patients this year (2024)?
| Improved staffing ratios | 21.73% |
| Increase in annual salary | 20.92% |
| More flexible work schedules | 9.80% |
| More focus on patient experience and quality of care | 9.64% |
| Improved leadership or management practices | 8.66% |
| Mental health or job burnout support | 6.86% |
| More vacation days | 6.86% |
| Access to career growth opportunities | 5.72% |
| Lower healthcare costs | 3.59% |
| Shorter shift times | 3.27% |
| Expanding technology (e.g., telehealth services) | 1.14% |
| Simplified billing process | 0.98% |
| None of the above | 0.82% |
The challenges faced by healthcare professionals in recent years have decreased job satisfaction for most respondents. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact continues to affect workers and healthcare facilities nationwide, with job satisfaction declining even following a return to normalcy.
In the last two years (from December 2021 to December 2023), my job satisfaction has…
| Decreased significantly | 31.86% |
| Decreased somewhat | 22.55% |
| Not changed | 14.71% |
| Increased somewhat | 14.22% |
| Increased significantly | 12.25% |
| None of the above | 4.41% |
More women experienced a decrease in job satisfaction than men. Just under half (47.06%) of male respondents said their job satisfaction decreased somewhat or significantly from December 2021 to 2023, compared to 56.96% of women.
The report found that the largest issues faced by healthcare professionals differ between men and women. While working with limited staff or shortage of workers was the largest issue faced by both men (22.88%) and women (27.59%) in 2023, more women (19.43%) than men (15.03%) selected worsening job burnout or mental health as the largest issue.
A larger proportion of men (7.19%) stated that they had “no concerns” with working in healthcare in 2023 compared to women (1.99%). In addition, “high patient volumes and overcrowding” was a more common issue for men (19.61%) than women (11.48%).
| Which of the following was the largest issue while working in healthcare in 2023? | Female Respondents | Male Respondents |
| Getting sick due to exposure while working | 8.39% | 5.23% |
| High patient volumes and overcrowding | 11.48% | 19.61% |
| I have had no concerns | 1.99% | 7.19% |
| Missing a diagnosis due to work volume | 0.44% | 0.65% |
| None of the above | 2.65% | 6.54% |
| Not having time to give my full quality of care | 12.58% | 8.50% |
| Unintentionally providing unsatisfactory or poor medical care | 1.32% | 1.96% |
| Working long hours or receiving few days off during peak seasonal times | 14.13% | 12.42% |
| Working with limited staff or a shortage of workers | 27.59% | 22.88% |
| Worsening job burnout or mental health | 19.43% | 15.03% |
The report found that men and women have different opinions on the changes needed in the healthcare landscape. When asked which changes to the field will have the largest positive impact on patient care, an “increase in annual salary” was the most favored change by men, with nearly a quarter (23.53%) of all male respondents choosing this solution. The most favored change from female respondents was improved staffing ratios, making up nearly a quarter (23.4%) of female respondents. Comparatively, only 13.73% of men selected improved staffing ratios as the change that would have the largest impact on patient care in 2024.
In addition, the proportion of male respondents who chose “access to career growth opportunities” and “expanding technology” was more than double that of female respondents who selected these changes.
| Which of the following changes to healthcare professionals would have the biggest impact on the quality of care to patients this year (2024)? | Female Respondents | Male Respondents |
| Access to career growth opportunities | 4.42% | 9.15% |
| Expanding technology (e.g., telehealth services) | 0.44% | 3.27% |
| Improved leadership or management practices | 9.05% | 7.19% |
| Improved staffing ratios | 23.40% | 13.73% |
| Increase in annual salary | 20.97% | 23.53% |
| Lower healthcare costs | 3.31% | 4.58% |
| Mental health or job burnout support | 7.28% | 5.88% |
| More flexible work schedules | 9.71% | 9.80% |
| More focus on patient experience and quality of care | 9.71% | 9.80% |
| More vacation days | 6.84% | 7.19% |
| None of the above | 0.22% | 2.61% |
| Shorter shift times | 3.53% | 2.61% |
| Simplified billing process | 1.10% | 0.65% |
The State of Healthcare, According to Healthcare Patients
While healthcare professionals grapple with staffing shortages, burnout, and high patient volumes, the 2024 State of Healthcare Report sought to understand how these challenges impacted the patient population on the receiving line of healthcare services.
Only a quarter (25.6%) of respondents said they experienced a “high level of care” when receiving healthcare services in the previous two years, with 23.7% of respondents claiming that they or their family members have received “unsatisfactory” or “poor quality” care.
The most common issue patients had in receiving healthcare in the last two years was “high wait times for care” (28.8%). Following high wait times, “limited healthcare staff available” impacted patient healthcare experience as the second most common issue (12.3%).
Access and affordability of specialized care was a major issue among patient populations in the last two years, with roughly 1 in 5 (19.2%) respondents saying they had struggled to find or access affordable specialized care or were unable to find and receive specialized care within a reasonable time frame.
| Which of the following, if any, describes your experience or your family’s experience with healthcare services in 2023? (Choose up to three) | % of Respondents |
| Experienced high wait times for care | 28.8% |
| I have received a high level of care | 25.6% |
| There have been limited healthcare staff available | 12.3% |
| A family member has received unsatisfactory or poor-quality care | 11.9% |
| I have received unsatisfactory or poor-quality care | 11.8% |
| I have struggled to find or access affordable specialized care | 9.8% |
| Unable to find and receive specialized care within a reasonable time frame | 9.4% |
| There have been limited beds available | 8.6% |
| A family member has been discharged early to free up beds for other patients | 6.5% |
| A family member has received a misdiagnosis | 6.4% |
| I have received a misdiagnosis | 6.2% |
| I have been discharged early to free up beds for other patients | 5.5% |
| I have had long wait times for surgery | 5.4% |
| I have had my surgery date canceled | 3.3% |
| Prefer not to say | 1.8% |
| Other | 0.9% |
Looking ahead to the concerns patient populations have regarding receiving healthcare services in 2024, the cost of healthcare services is a concern for over half (53.4%) of all respondents with or without healthcare insurance.
The concerns that respondents anticipate for 2024 mirror the challenges that patients experienced in recent years, with 44.4% of the patient population agreeing that “experiencing high wait times for care” is a primary concern when receiving care in a hospital or emergency room in 2024.
Poor-quality healthcare services are a major concern for the majority of the respondents, with more than half (54.7%) saying that “receiving unsatisfactory or poor-quality care” or “receiving a misdiagnosis” is a concern for them when receiving care in 2024.
| Which of the following, if any, concerns you the most about receiving care in a hospital or emergency room in 2024? (Choose up to three) | % of Respondents |
| Experiencing high wait times for care | 44.40% |
| Healthcare costs (with health insurance) | 38.50% |
| Receiving unsatisfactory or poor-quality care | 31.10% |
| Receiving a misdiagnosis | 23.60% |
| Limited healthcare staff available | 16.10% |
| Finding and receiving specialized care within a reasonable time frame | 15.40% |
| Healthcare costs (without health insurance) | 14.90% |
| Limited beds available | 12.60% |
| Being discharged early to free up beds for other patients | 12.30% |
| Overall access to affordable specialized care | 12.20% |
| I have no main concerns | 11.20% |
| Other | 1.20% |
Healthcare Perceptions by Demographics
Women were more likely to receive a misdiagnosis than men in the last two years, with women making up 66.1% of the respondents who said they received a misdiagnosis. Of the respondents who identified “receiving a misdiagnosis” as a concern when receiving care in 2024, a majority (63.5%) were also women.
Similarly, of respondents who selected “receiving unsatisfactory or poor-quality care” as a concern for 2024, 65.3% were women. Nearly a third (31.8%) of male respondents said they received a high level of care in the last two years, compared to 21.9% of female respondents. The most common concern that male respondents have for receiving care in 2024 is healthcare costs. The most common concern for female respondents is high wait times for care.
The cost of healthcare is most concerning for patients aged 18-24, with 61.6% of respondents in this age group agreeing the cost of healthcare services—with or without insurance—is a worry for them.
In addition, patients aged 18-24 were more concerned with the “overall access of affordable specialized care” more than any other age group, at 21.7% of respondents. Comparatively, the 25-34 age group had the second highest respondents concerned with “overall access of affordable specialized care” at 19.2%.
The 55+ age group is one of the most content patient populations, with 14.9% of respondents aged 55+ saying they have no healthcare concerns in 2024. In comparison, the age group with the next highest rate of respondents selecting “I have no major concerns” is the 45-54 age group, at just 8.8%. “Experiencing high wait times for care” is the most common concern across all age groups.
The Best States for Women’s Healthcare
The report identified states that offer the best medical care for women by considering patient satisfaction and quality of care, wait times for care, misdiagnosis prevalence, specialized care affordability, and specialized care access, as reported by female respondents who received medical care in the last year across all 50 U.S. states.
Women in Vermont (1) reported having the best healthcare experience. The state boasts the lowest rate of women reporting that they received unsatisfactory or poor-quality care.
Women in Montana (50) reported having the worst healthcare experience. Montana had the highest rate of women who reported receiving a misdiagnosis and women who reported experiencing high wait times for care. The state also tied with Wyoming and South Dakota for the rate of women who reported struggling to access affordable specialized care.
From best to worst, here are how the states rank for women’s healthcare quality:
- Vermont
- Oregon
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Alabama
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Connecticut
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
- Iowa
- New Mexico
- Tennessee
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Maine
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Kansas
- Delaware
- Arizona
- Ohio
- California
- South Carolina
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Missouri
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- North Carolina
- Massachusetts
- Wyoming
- Florida
- Arkansas
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Indiana
- Georgia
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Montana
Conclusion
The 2024 State of Healthcare Report by Soliant Health highlights the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals, patients, and policymakers to ensure a more efficient, effective, and equitable healthcare system for all.
As noted by various healthcare professionals and patient populations, the challenges facing the healthcare system are multifaceted, ranging from access to care, cost of services, and staffing challenges. However, these challenges also present unique opportunities for innovation and improvement, as demonstrated by the favored measures outlined in the report.
To improve staffing ratios and retain healthcare workers, professionals urge the field to provide them with higher pay and mental health support while pursuing initiatives to combat burnout, such as adopting more flexible schedules. With sufficient staffing, the industry can then best address or resolve key issues that patients face, including high wait times, healthcare quality, and availability of healthcare professionals.
“The 2024 State of Healthcare Report serves as a powerful reminder that the healthcare system is constantly evolving, and we must work together to address its challenges and harness its potential for improvement. By listening to the perspectives of those on the frontlines of care, we can better understand the issues at hand and develop targeted solutions to create lasting, positive change,” said Soliant Health Senior Vice President Patrick Dotts.
By addressing the concerns and aspirations of healthcare professionals and patients alike, we can foster a more resilient and inclusive healthcare system that meets the diverse needs of our communities. As we move forward, it is crucial to keep these findings at the forefront of our efforts, leveraging the collective experience of all involved in the pursuit of a better healthcare system for all.
Travel jobs play a critical role in alleviating staffing challenges in healthcare facilities across the nation, providing a flexible and efficient solution to address staffing gaps, offer essential medical services to underserved communities, and contribute to the ongoing professional development of healthcare workers. For more information on travel and permanent opportunities for healthcare workers, please visit Soliant’s travel nursing and travel allied health job pages.