Putting words into action — The path to ending physician burnout

A recent report, "Physician Burnout in America: A Roadmap for Restoring Joy and Purpose to Medicine," outlines possible solutions to decrease physician burnout. The report stemmed from a think-tank of leading physicians.

Here are five things to know:

1. In 2015, the following physician leaders convened with industry experts to create a solidified plan to combat physician burnout:

  • Bridget Duffy, MD, CMO of Vocera Communications
  • William J. Maples, MD, CMO of Professional Research Consultants and executive director of the Institute for Healthcare Excellence 
  • Ronald Paulus, MD, president and CEO of Mission Health in Asheville, N.C.

2. The conversation included primary and specialty physicians, medical education leaders, hospital executives, healthcare technology experts and resiliency experts, among others.

3. Dr. Paulus said the report offers a path to "restore humanity, joy and resilience to the practice of medicine."

4. The report includes five essential focus areas to quench the physician burnout flame:

  • Enhance communication to restore human connections in healthcare 
  • Focus medical training curriculum on physician-patient relationships
  • Engage patients in their care 
  • Leverage technology to better the patient, physician and care team experience
  • Reform healthcare policy and processes so it benefits physicians and patients

5. The report includes 16 ideas for the industry to implement strong change combating burnout.

"We must address physician burnout, and we must do it now. It is essential to improving the healthcare experience for all of us — physicians, nurses, patients and families," said Dr. Duffy. "Bold leadership is needed to drive an industry-wide cultural transformation and mentor the next generation of physicians so they will embrace these values."

Read the report here

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