The Impact of Hybrid Work on Healthcare Workplaces

1 in 5 medical employees in the US have quit their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic. Due to burnout and stress, mostly. Meanwhile, 86% of the healthcare organizations that adopted a hybrid work model reported that their employees got happier since the transition.

This report explores how hybrid work is reshaping healthcare workplaces — from addressing the workforce crisis to accelerating digital transformation and even reducing environmental impact.

TL;DR:

• Physician burnout is the new epidemic: 1 in 5 medical workers resigned since the pandemic
• 74.4% of healthcare practitioners want more flexibility
• 86% of hybrid healthcare organizations won’t go back to traditional on-site
• Telemedicine software is the most popular tech tool adopted
• Teleconsultations saved an estimated 50 million miles of travel

Healthcare Is Going Through A Major Workforce Crisis

The numbers tell a sobering story: 1 in 5 US healthcare workers have quit their jobs since the pandemic began. When asked why, 49% cited burnout and stress as the primary reasons for leaving.

The healthcare workforce crisis is not a temporary disruption. It is the result of years of mounting pressure, accelerated by the extraordinary demands of the pandemic. Long hours, emotional toll, understaffing, and a persistent lack of flexibility have pushed healthcare professionals to their breaking point.

The solution demands a fundamental rethinking of work models, with employee well-being placed at the center. Healthcare organizations that continue operating under traditional, rigid structures risk deepening the crisis and losing even more of their critical workforce.

The Solution: Hybrid Work

The data points to a clear answer: 74.4% of health practitioners want more flexibility in how and where they work. Hybrid work models offer healthcare organizations a powerful tool to address the workforce crisis head-on.

By allowing eligible employees to split their time between on-site and remote work, healthcare organizations can increase retention and reduce burnout. The flexibility that hybrid work provides gives healthcare professionals greater control over their schedules, reduces the physical and emotional exhaustion of constant on-site presence, and demonstrates that their employer values their well-being.

For an industry that has traditionally demanded full-time, on-site presence from nearly all employees, this shift represents a significant cultural change — but one that the workforce is clearly demanding.

The Benefits Are Too Strong to Go Back

The results of hybrid work adoption in healthcare have been remarkable. 83% of hybrid healthcare organizations say they will not go back to traditional on-site models, and the reasons are compelling:

• 56% reported boosted productivity
• 39% saw increased revenue
• 61% were able to serve more patients
• 89% experienced improved employee morale

These are not marginal improvements. When an organization can simultaneously increase productivity, revenue, patient capacity, and employee satisfaction, the case for hybrid work becomes virtually impossible to argue against.

The benefits create a virtuous cycle: happier employees deliver better care, which improves patient outcomes, which strengthens the organization’s reputation and financial performance, which allows for further investment in employee well-being.

Yes, Hybrid Work Makes Healthcare Employees Happier

The impact on employee happiness is clear and measurable. Among healthcare employees working in hybrid arrangements:

• 45% report being extremely happy with the arrangement
• 43% describe their experience as somewhat positive
• 9% feel neutral about the change

The overwhelming majority of healthcare workers in hybrid models report positive experiences. This is particularly significant in an industry where employee burnout and dissatisfaction have reached crisis levels. When nearly 9 out of 10 employees view the transition positively, it signals that hybrid work is not just a temporary accommodation but a genuinely better way of working for healthcare professionals.

Which Medical Employees Can Work Hybrid?

A common misconception is that hybrid work in healthcare is limited to a small number of administrative roles. In reality, a wide range of medical professionals can benefit from hybrid arrangements:

• Administrators — Many administrative tasks, from scheduling to compliance documentation, can be performed remotely.
• Billing and accounting — Financial operations are well-suited to remote work with proper technology infrastructure.
• Physicians — Telehealth consultations, chart reviews, follow-up appointments, and administrative duties can all be handled remotely.
• Physician assistants — Similar to physicians, many responsibilities can be split between in-person and virtual care.
• Nurses — Triage calls, patient education, care coordination, and documentation can be done from home.

The key is to identify which tasks within each role require physical presence and which can be performed effectively from a remote location. Most healthcare roles contain a mix of both, making hybrid arrangements a natural fit.

Hybrid Work Is Accelerating Digital Transformation

The shift to hybrid work has been a powerful catalyst for digital transformation in healthcare. The industry is projected to spend $45 billion on digital transformation by 2030, and hybrid work is a significant driver of that investment.

The numbers reflect this acceleration: telehealth usage is now 38 times higher than pre-pandemic levels. What was once a niche service has become a mainstream care delivery model, fundamentally changing how patients interact with their healthcare providers.

The top technology tools adopted by hybrid healthcare organizations include:

• Telemedicine software — The most widely adopted tool, enabling remote consultations and virtual care delivery.
• Video conferencing hardware — Supporting both patient care and internal team collaboration across distributed locations.
• Patient portals — Giving patients digital access to their health information, appointment scheduling, and secure communication with providers.

These investments are not just supporting hybrid work — they are modernizing the entire healthcare delivery model and creating better experiences for both employees and patients.

Reducing CO2 Emissions

One of the most compelling and often overlooked benefits of hybrid work in healthcare is its environmental impact. A study from Ohio State University quantified the sustainability gains from teleconsultations:

• 50 million miles of patient travel avoided
• 2.2 million gallons of gas saved
• 17,500+ metric tons of CO2 emissions prevented

These figures represent the impact of teleconsultations alone — they do not account for the reduced commuting by healthcare employees working from home on their remote days.

As healthcare organizations face growing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint, hybrid work and telehealth offer a meaningful path toward sustainability. Fewer miles driven means less pollution, less traffic congestion, and a smaller carbon footprint for the entire healthcare system.

The environmental benefits add another dimension to the already strong case for hybrid work in healthcare: it is better for employees, better for patients, and better for the planet.