AMA online tools address systems-level physician burnout

(HealthDay)—Tools and resources have been developed to help address physician burnout at the systems level, which may affect more than half of doctors, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).

The AMA underscores the organization's commitment to improving physician well-being using collaborative partnerships, targeted analytics, and expert resources. Patient health outcomes improve and physicians are more productive and less likely to leave a practice or reduce work hours when they are satisfied. In turn, increasing well-being can increase revenues and reduce costs.

Using the Mini Z Burnout Survey assessment tool, the AMA has provided systems and practices with an organizational score for burnout. Experts offer help for practices to interpret the data and identify solutions and strategies that can transform practices. Systems-based approaches to reducing burnout include implementing a team-based model of care; enhancing communication within teams; developing float pools to assist clinicians during life events; ensuring that clinician satisfaction and well-being are included as metrics for success; developing schedules with flexibility and clinical control; and developing a committee and infrastructure to address wellness.

"The AMA STEPS Forward collection has five professional well-being modules to help physicians turn these goals into a reality for their practices," according to the report. "As the AMA continues to support a systems-based approach to reducing physician burnout, a new module takes physicians and leaders through nine steps to create structures at the organizational level designed to help physicians and other health professionals achieve more joy in practice, and also to quantify the impact of burnout on an organization."