The Randstad Healthcare Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. healthcare workers, declined 4.5 points to 53.9 in the second quarter of 2012, according to a recent online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Healthcare. The quarterly survey of 232 workers currently employed in the healthcare industry, which included physicians, healthcare administrators, as well as other healthcare professionals, reflects a sizeable increase in those who believe the economy is getting weaker. At the same time, that sentiment did not damper workers' personal confidence, as more stated that they believe more jobs are available and they are likely to look for one in the next 12 months.

"The recent decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the healthcare reform legislation, formally called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), all but ensures the future growth of the healthcare industry," said Steve McMahan, executive vice president of Randstad US, Professionals. "Understandably, healthcare workers are concerned about the overall economy, but at the same time, this does not seem to be hampering their personal confidence in their own abilities and attractiveness to other potential employers. In fact, when it comes to their own employability, half of healthcare workers surveyed still remain confident that they could find alternative employment if they chose to. The combination of healthy monthly job gains, coupled with the recent Supreme Court decision, further solidifies an exciting and promising future for healthcare professionals. As this occurs, more and more facilities and organizations will likely turn to temporary, travel, contract and locum tenens workers to help satisfy their staffing needs."

           Q2, 2012 Survey Highlights:

Sharp Increase in Number of Workers Believing Economy is Weakening

• Forty-three percent believe the strength of the economy is weakening, an increase from 27 percent in first quarter 2012. Only 20 percent of healthcare workers believe the economy is strengthening.

Nearly Half of Healthcare Workers Believe Fewer Jobs Are Available

• While nearly a quarter (24 percent) of survey respondents report that more jobs are available, approximately half (49 percent) of healthcare workers believe there are fewer opportunities available.

Half of Healthcare Workers Surveyed Confident in Personal Employability

• When asked how optimistic they are in their ability to find employment, 51 percent of healthcare workers indicate that they are confident they could find a job (versus 58 percent in Q1 2012).

Majority of Healthcare Workers Feel Confident in their Employers' Future

• Although declining eight percentage points from last quarter, the majority (58 percent) of healthcare workers feel confident in the future of their company.

More Than One-Third of Healthcare Workers Likely to Job Search

• Thirty-seven percent of healthcare workers are likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months (rising six percentage points from Q1 2012).