Healthcare worker burnout is a pressing issue. It not only impacts employee well-being but also the quality of care that patients receive.
During a Scottsdale Institute Fireside Chat, a panel of Wolters Kluwer contributors and healthcare specialists discussed this matter with moderator M. Michael Shabot. These experts presented potential solutions and helpful insights on addressing burnout and quelling institutional fatigue.
The causes and impacts of health worker burnout
In recent years, burnout among health workers has reached critical levels, affecting every area of the industry. A clear example is the record number of nurses reporting burnout - an April 2024 report puts the figure at 62%.
What may be more surprising is that younger nurses are the most susceptible. The impact of burnout on healthcare workers has translated into record resignations in the industry, spurring a nursing and pharmacist shortage.
Like anything else, the root causes of burnout lie in workers feeling under-appreciated and overworked. Also, patient demands are higher as healthcare costs have risen, and the abundance of available information in the digital age also increases patient expectations. As a result, greater workloads are pulling care teams away from their families and increasing incidences of mental health struggles.
Perhaps even worse is the fact that burnout correlates directly with safety events and patient care errors. However, even when workers are available, the prioritization of fulfilling tasks over human interaction can also decrease the quality of care and health worker engagement. Practitioners are spending more time on devices to input data instead of sincerely engaging with patients face to face. Consequently, dissatisfaction goes up on all sides.
Innovative solutions to healthcare challenges
Meeting this challenge doesn’t come down to care team leaders merely assisting each burned-out individual. Rather, it’s the sign of institutional fatigue that needs large-scale solutions and a change in day-to-day practices.
As the panel discussed the issue, they pointed to several proven solutions.