As detailed in the previous section, physician burnout is a complex problem with challenges at multiple scales. This means that any change will need to be done at multiple scales as well. We can all speak up within our organizations and work-units to promote wellness and try to find strategies that minimize the factors that lead to anti-engagement. We can also advocate within our health care organizations. There are multiple resources below that describe steps and processes that can help.
- Sinsky, C. A., L. Daugherty Biddison, A. Mallick, A. Legreid Dopp, J. Perlo, L, Lynn, and C. D. Smith. 2020. Organizational Evidence-Based and Promising Practices for Improving Clinician Well-Being. NAM Perspectives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of Medicine, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.31478/202011a This is a discussion paper from the National Academy of Medicine detailing practices that can improve physician wellness at an organizational level.
- Shanafelt TD, Noseworthy JH. “Executive Leadership and Physician Well-being; Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout.” Mayo Clin Proc 2017; 92(1): 129-146. This is a sensational paper to read. It details the causes and 9 strategies that organizations can engage so that improvements in physician wellness can be realized.
- Swensen SJ, Shanafelt TD. Mayo Clinic Strategies to Reduce Burnout: 12 Actions to Create the Ideal Workplace. Oxford University Press, New York, 2020 This is a book that is available that is very comprehensive about organizational strategies to change to improve physician wellness. Paperback $34.95
- McCallister DE, Hamilton T, ed. Transforming the Heart of Practice: An Organizational and Personal Approach to Physician Wellbeing. Springer Nature, Switzerland, 2019. This is another book detailing various approaches to improving various aspects of physician wellbeing. Paperback $59.99