In a world that is increasingly digital and interconnected, the notion of "going to work" has been fundamentally transformed. This transformation has been particularly significant in the realm of healthcare, where technology allows professionals to offer high-quality care and consultation, often without stepping foot into a traditional office setting. In the wake of a global pandemic, remote work is no longer an exception but often a preference—a preference that nonprofit healthcare organizations should strongly consider embracing for long-term success. 

Why Work from Home is Beneficial for Healthcare Workers 

Let’s address the human element of healthcare. The professionals in this field—doctors, nurses, social workers, and community health workers—we all have taxing roles that are both emotionally and physically draining.  



Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health, put it eloquently when he said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” By giving healthcare professionals the option to work remotely, we're also giving them a chance to better balance their personal lives, reducing burnout and enhancing overall well-being. 

What Are The Options?

• Flexible Scheduling: Working from home often allows for more flexible scheduling, so professionals can work during the times they're most productive. 

• Reduced Commute: The daily grind to and from a traditional office can add unneeded stress and fatigue, which remote work eliminates. Not to mention, working remotely has been shown to be better for the environment, reducing our collective carbon footprint with fewer vehicles on the road.

• Work-Life Balance: Remote work offers better opportunities to balance personal responsibilities, like family care, with professional obligations. 

How Working from Home Improves Productivity 

Contrary to traditional thinking, that in-person work is more productive, several studies have shown that remote work can actually increase productivity.

A two-year study by Stanford University found that remote work increased worker productivity by 13%. This translates into an extra day's worth of work each week! 

"The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world."

The ethos of a nonprofit is, generally, to focus on mission over money. But how can nonprofits continue to fulfill their mission effectively when their healthcare workers are stressed, overworked, or commuting long hours? As Dr. Farmer has noted in the past, "The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world." by implementing remote work policies that make sense for their teams, nonprofits aren't just saying that they care about the well-being of their staff—they're proving it. The return on this investment is a more dedicated, satisfied, and ultimately, more effective team. 

If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it's that the old ways of doing things aren't necessarily the best ways. Remote work isn’t just a trendy workplace perk; it’s a substantive improvement to how healthcare can be delivered and how healthcare professionals can live their lives. 

Nonprofit organizations should not force back to the office work for remote healthcare workers if they want to be successful. Instead, they should view the option of remote work as a powerful tool to better serve their mission and their staff in these changing times. 

So, to all the healthcare workers out there, know that your well-being matters. And to the nonprofits who employ them, consider this: flexibility isn't just a benefit you offer your employees—it's the cornerstone of a more effective, more compassionate healthcare system.