Deploying Health Care Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic runs its course around the globe, a mismatch of resources and needs arises: In some areas, health care systems are faced with an increased number of COVID-19 patients potentially exceeding their capacity, whereas, in other areas, health care systems are faced with procedural cancelations and a drop in demands. TeamHealth in Knoxville, Tennessee, a multidisciplinary health care organization, was able to roll out a systemic approach to redeploy its clinicians practicing in the fields of emergency medicine, hospital medicine, and anesthesiology from areas of less need (faced with reduced or no work) to areas outside of their normal practice facing immediate need.