by Gwen Darling

A recent FierceHealthcare headline read, "Nearly half of surveyed hospital employees 'discontent' in their work." The article cited the results of a study that found that 45 percent of the 235,000 employees surveyed consider themselves "distanced from or discontent with their current work." It went on to outline that the most unhappy employees tend to be younger--"mostly Gen Y and Gen Xers"--while those born before 1945 usually are satisfied with their roles. Part of the reason for that gap, researchers noted, is that Gen X and Gen Y employees want recognition for their work and inclusion in decision making processes.

These findings are actually a bit more sobering when you stop to do the math and figure out that according to the survey, the happy employees are 65-plus and most likely on their way out the door.

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If the results of this study are to be believed, that leaves us with an overwhelmingly disgruntled hospital workforce, which is quite frightening when you think about it. Call me crazy, but I'd much rather have the crew who may someday have my life in their hands be a happy bunch, wouldn't you?

So what's at the root of this season of discontent? The study points to a lack of recognition and inclusion. Has this always been the case, or is it possible--in the digital frenzy of meaningful use deadlines, healthcare reform, and impending EMR implementations--that the nurturing of the human spirit has ceased to be a focus? If so, isn't that a bit ironic? An undertaking as critical and culture-changing as a total digital overhaul cannot possibly be successful without support from the very workforce whose employee manual is getting ready to be completely rewritten.

"Tomorrow's successful leaders need to learn about Gen X and Gen Y employees and be trained on their needs, which also include more focus on the 'softer' side of management," the report says. "[They need to be trained on] saying thank you, investing in a relationship to build trust and being a coach and motivator for employees."

Okay. It's clear that the workforce of today (and tomorrow) needs to openly appreciated and included. This need goes far beyond recognition plaques, birthday lunches and the CEO's suggestion box. Gen Xers (born in the 1960s and '70s) and Gen Yers (born in the 1980s and '90s) want to contribute and, dare I say it (ducking), be put to meaningful use.

So what's the answer? Clearly, there is no ONE answer--each environment is unique with its own employee (un)happiness quotient. But if you are in the midst of an EMR implementation project, or better yet, getting ready to undertake this massive challenge, there is no better time than now to create a fiercely loyal workforce by rallying the troops and asking for help, ideas, suggestions and input. The end result? An involved, appreciated, happier workforce--good for the hospital, great for the patient.

Gwen Darling is the CEO of Healthcare IT Central, a career center for healthcare IT job seekers and employers. She's also the founder and editor of Healthcare IT Today, a blog about healthcare IT career development, and writes and blogs for Healthcare Informatics magazine. She can be reached at GwenDarling@HealthcareITCentral.com.