9 strategies for combating physician burnout

Physicians suffer more burnout than any other American worker. The 2016 Medscape Physician Lifestyle Report found that in 2015, 46 percent of all physicians surveyed said that they had burnout. And all this burnout is costing hospitals a bundle.

According to John Noseworthy, MD, president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, professional exhaustion can impact clinical performance and lead to errors and decreased quality of care.

The Mayo Clinic found that the organizational impact of physician burnout can include lower productivity, staff turnover, decreased quality of care and malpractice suits. For the individual physician, burnout can lead to broken relationships, alcoholism and suicide.

In recognition of these outcomes, the Mayo Clinic is offering nine strategies hospitals should implement to address and resolve burnout:

1. Acknowledge and assess the problem.
2. Recognize the behaviors of leaders that can increase or decrease burnout.
3. Use a systems approach to develop targeted interventions to improve efficiency and reduce clerical work.
4. Cultivate a community at work.
5. Use rewards and incentives strategically.
6. Assess whether the organizations actions are aligned with the stated values and mission.
7. Implement organizational practices and policies that promote flexibility and work-life balance.
8. Provide resources to help individuals promote self-care.
9. Support organizational science and study the factors in your own institution that contribute to the problem. Invest in solutions.