Burnout is a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a diminished sense of self-efficacy. It is becoming more prevalent in healthcare and related professions. There are many factors driving the epidemic of burnout, with the electronic health record (EHR) being a notable contributor for physicians. The Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Harvard Global Health Institute, have formed a coalition to address this important issue. In their recently released white paper, they identify burnout as “A Crisis in Health Care” and issue a call to action. They make three specific recommendations for all health care organizations. Their recommendations are:
- Improve access to mental health treatment and support for physicians
- Improve EHR standards with a focus on the use of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
- Appoint executive-level chief wellness officers at every major medical organization
The goal of this report is to inform and enable health professionals and health care leaders to assess the challenge presented by physician burnout in their work and organizations, and to take appropriate measures to address this public health crisis. It is our hope that with the implementation of these recommendations, our physicians can improve their well-being and provide better care for their patients.
July 15, 2019