Technology has made significant advancements in recent years, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). These changes are transforming healthcare and reshaping our work-life balance.
In the 1930s, economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that within a century, most people would work no more than 15 hours a week. He believed that by 2030, the standard of living would be four to eight times better, making work largely optional. “At that point,” he wrote, “everybody will need to do some work if he is to be contented… a 15-hour week may put off the problem for a great while. For three hours a day is quite enough to satisfy the old Adam in most of us.” While Keynes was right about the increase in living standards—now almost six times higher than during the Great Depression—Australians still face the reality that a 15-hour workweek is far from feasible to meet financial and emotional needs.
With the integration of technology into healthcare, the roles of healthcare providers and pharmacists have not diminished; rather, they have become more critical. Although weekly work hours may not have shifted significantly in the last century, the nature of our work has evolved. Pharmacists are now expected to navigate various software systems for dispensing and monitoring medications. While we are enhancing efficiency, expediting diagnoses, and improving medication safety, many of us still find ourselves working the same 40-hour (or often longer) weeks. Given the rising cost of living and inflation, a 15-hour workweek is simply unsustainable. Keynes may have underestimated the number of hours we work, but he was correct in recognising that our standard of living has improved.
The rise of technology, especially in a post-COVID world, has allowed for greater flexibility. Many have realised that not all tasks require a physical office presence. Some companies and workplaces have adapted and now you can watch the kids and check emails, travel to visit family while contributing to Zoom calls, and work flexible hours so work doesn’t have to rule your life.
This flexibility is a reality for many in corporate Australia, though healthcare has lagged behind. Fortunately, platforms like Locumate are bridging this gap for employers and business owners, making life more flexible and manageable. Locumate Access+ streamlines scheduling and staffing within a single platform, automating staff rostering and filling gaps without the need for manual outreach. This can be done from home, allowing business owners and managers to balance work and personal life more effectively.
Moreover, certain healthcare roles now offer work-from-home arrangements for specific tasks, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. Tools like MyHealthRecord provide consolidated medication histories, improving information accessibility. While new technologies have expanded our knowledge base—requiring pharmacists to learn beyond traditional drug knowledge—it’s unrealistic to claim that technology is replacing our jobs or enabling a 15-hour workweek. Instead, it enhances the quality of our work, ensuring patient safety and allowing for more one-on-one time with customers. Technology offers greater flexibility, automating certain tasks and facilitating work-from-home options, ultimately enriching our professional lives.