Combatting Clinician & Physician Burnout: A Guide for Healthcare Leadership
Clinician and physician burnout has emerged as a critical issue in healthcare, posing significant challenges to both providers and organizations. The...
6 min read
Futura Healthcare
August 16, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Clinician and physician burnout has emerged as a critical issue in healthcare, posing significant challenges to both providers and organizations. The demands of the profession, coupled with administrative burdens and a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, have contributed to alarming rates of burnout among clinicians.
However, there is hope. Addressing burnout not only improves the well-being of providers but also has profound implications for patient care and organizational success. Prioritizing clinician and physician wellness can lead to reduced turnover, improved quality of care, fewer errors, and increased engagement. It shows a commitment to supporting your team, builds trust, and enhances problem-solving during challenging times.
In this article, we explore the multifaceted issue of clinician burnout, uncovering its causes, consequences, and most importantly, the preventive measures that healthcare leadership can undertake to address it. By prioritizing clinician and physician wellness, organizations can foster a supportive and thriving work environment that benefits all stakeholders involved.
Join us on this journey to combat burnout and foster a healthier future for healthcare providers and patients alike. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and build a stronger healthcare community.
Cognitive load plays a significant role in burnout as excessive cognitive load can overwhelm and exhaust individuals, leading to increased stress and the potential for burnout. When healthcare professionals experience high levels of cognitive load, it taxes their cognitive resources and working memory. They may be juggling multiple tasks, managing complex patient information, making critical decisions, and dealing with distractions and interruptions. This constant mental strain can contribute to feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion, and frustration.
Excessive cognitive load can arise from various sources within the healthcare environment. For example, healthcare professionals may face challenges related to electronic health records (EHRs), such as burdensome documentation requirements, complicated interfaces, and excessive information overload. These factors can increase cognitive load and impede efficient workflow, leading to increased stress levels and decreased job satisfaction. Moreover, heavy workloads, time pressures, lack of resources, frequent interruptions, and the need to multitask contribute to cognitive overload and hinder cognitive functioning.
Cognitive load can be categorized into three types: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane.
The goal is to optimize cognitive load by reducing extraneous load and promoting germane load. By minimizing distractions, simplifying instructions, organizing information effectively, and providing adequate support, individuals can allocate their cognitive resources more efficiently, leading to improved learning, task performance, and reduced mental strain. Extraneous cognitive load, particularly from EHRs, has become a prominent challenge in healthcare. Burdensome billing requirements and excessive documentation demands within EHRs contribute significantly to extraneous cognitive load. Constant interruptions, inbox overload, redundancies, staff needs, desktop management, economic demands, and workload were also cited as key sources of extraneous load. Furthermore, recognizing the value of germane load, which involves continuous learning and integration of new information, is important. Maximizing germane load contributes to clinician expertise and adaptability. (Harry, 2021)
To optimize cognitive load, it is important to focus on standardization, redundancy, and split attention.
Addressing clinician and physician burnout is crucial for healthcare organizations to promote well-being, improve patient care, and ensure organizational success. By prioritizing burnout prevention and establishing a Wellness Committee, healthcare administrators can create a supportive work environment.
By taking decisive action and implementing the seven steps outlined in this blog, you can create a supportive work environment where clinicians feel valued and empowered. Establishing a Wellness Committee and conducting regular wellness surveys will ensure you stay attuned to the needs of your healthcare team. Embracing evidence-based interventions and continuously evaluating their effectiveness will fine-tune your approach, leading to tangible results.
But it doesn't end there. Investing in resources and support systems will show your unwavering commitment to tackling burnout head-on. And as a healthcare organization that prioritizes provider wellness, you'll be at the forefront of a growing national trend, setting a positive example for others to follow.
Your dedication to addressing clinician and physician burnout will not only lead to improved job satisfaction and retention rates but will also foster a culture of excellence, resulting in better patient outcomes and organizational success.
Now is the time to take action and make a lasting difference. Reach out to us at Futura Healthcare to explore how our solutions can make a significant difference in creating a more supportive work environment for your healthcare providers. We value collaboration and are eager to work together in tackling this pressing issue. Our expertise and resources are at your disposal to help you navigate this journey toward a healthier, more resilient healthcare environment.
Futura Healthcare has supported Hospitals and Health Systems for over 20 years improving patient and staff experiences through technology and services. As members of CHIME and KLAS, we prioritize continuous education and evolving with the needs of our complex industry with our advisory, consulting, and technology solutions. We are vendor agnostic and help healthcare institutions achieve their strategic goals of improved patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and enhanced clinician engagement.
AMA. Practice Transformation Series: Burnout. 2015.
AMA. Steps Forward Series: Preventing Physician Burnout. 2020.
Harry, E., Sinsky, C. Cognitive workload: A modifiable contributor to physician burnout (2021, March 2). AMA STEPS Forward. Webinar. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/elizabeth-harry-md-christine-sinsky-md-discuss-findings
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