By Keri Forsythe-Stephens
Call me nosey, but there’s something incredibly satisfying (OK, maybe voyeuristic) about being able to peer into the minds of others.
It’s why I enjoy reading the comments every year in 24×7’s job compensation and satisfaction survey. Sure, I love learning how much everyone is making by region and job title—and I know you benefit from this information, too—but the comments section is my favorite part.
And this year’s commentary didn’t disappoint. Survey respondents sounded off about a variety of topics—their favorite aspects of healthcare technology management (HTM), their biggest gripes about their jobs, and what job-related aspects regularly keep them up at night. Like in previous years, cybersecurity concerns topped the list of the latter category, with Right to Repair and staffing challenges trailing closely behind.
When it came to staffing woes, respondents were particularly worried about the lack of new talent coming to HTM. “There are not enough people entering the field to replace those who are retiring,” one respondent wrote. “I have heard some horror stories because there is such a need for BMETs that [hospitals] will literally hire anybody.”
Alarmist, perhaps, but other survey respondents echoed this fear. “The silver tsunami is about to happen, and we don’t have the training established or even adequate public [awareness about the field],” another individual wrote. “Once the baby boomers retire, we as a field are going to be hurting for a while.”
Fortunately, the comments weren’t all gloom and doom. Many survey respondents praised the field’s direct impact on patient care, along with the diversity of work. “No two days are exactly the same,” one survey respondent wrote, with another lauding “the challenge that comes with doing something new each day.” The latter survey respondent also endorsed the ability to “help those who help others,” calling biomeds “the unsung heroes who keep patient care moving.”
As the editor of 24×7, I couldn’t agree more. It’s why we conduct our salary survey every year: to elevate the profession to its rightful place and make sure you are all recognized—and paid adequately—for a job well done.
Yes, it’s a massive undertaking, but it’s more than justified when I receive emails saying our survey directly led to staff raises. So, please continue taking our survey each year and making sure your voice is heard.
In the meantime, thank you for giving me great commentary to tide me over for another year.
Keri Forsythe-Stephens is chief editor of 24×7. Questions and comments can be directed to [email protected].
