Health system leaders make burnout an organizational priority

In recent interviews with the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), six health system leaders reflected on the lessons they learned from system changes made during the pandemic and explain steps they are taking to prioritize burnout. These include establishing forums for honest feedback from clinicians, adding improved clinician well-being to the organization’s goals, creating a trained group of peers whom clinicians can turn to for support, and giving employees access to a food bank at work. A 2019 NAM report found the consequences of overworked, overwhelmed clinicians go well beyond their individual well-being, creating a workplace environment that can adversely influence the quality and safety of patient care. (NAM article, 8/9/21)