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Organization-directed interventions for burnout may benefit physicians
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Recently published results showed physicians experienced small benefits when they participated in intervention programs for burnout. Adoption of organization-directed approaches may help boost these benefits, according to results.
Maria Panagioti, PhD, of the NIHR School for Primary Care Research, and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of 19 randomized clinical trials and controlled before-after studies of interventions that targeted burnout in physicians. Researchers included 20 physician-directed and organization-directed interventions designed to relieve stress or improve performance of physicians and reported burnout outcomes. Researchers measured burnout with validated tools, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory.
Results showed small significant reductions in burnout were associated with interventions. According to results of subgroup analyses, organization-directed interventions had significantly improved effects vs. physician-directed interventions. Compared with interventions delivered to inexperienced physicians and in secondary care, researchers found an association with higher effects among interventions delivered to experienced physicians and in primary care. However, researchers noted these differences were not significant. According to results, risk of bias ratings did not influence the results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
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John D. Kelly IV, MD
The systematic review/meta-analysis by Panagioti and colleagues was well executed and carefully crafted. The conclusions reinforce what most orthopedists already hold true — any meaningful change in health care delivery must occur at the organizational and administrative level. These authors have illustrated that organizationally driven changes to avert burnout (schedule change, enhanced workplace culture and increased physician autonomy) were significantly more effective than physician-directed interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness practice.
With the rate of burnout reaching epidemic proportions, health care systems would do well to incorporate the findings of this study into their mission statement. Happy and balanced physicians are cost-effective. Productivity soars, medical errors are lessened and patient satisfaction scores skyrocket when happy doctors provide health care. Until there is real buy in from health care systems’ leadership, the burnout pandemic will continue.
Strong and responsive leadership can create a healthy work culture in which physician well-being is at the forefront of every policy change. And yes, that is a good business practice!
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