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Building a Sustainable Primary Care Workforce: Where Do We Go from Here?
1From the Office of Professional Worklife and Division of General Internal Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis MN. mark.linzer@hcmed.org.
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
|April 6, 2017
Summary
Family physicians experience high burnout rates, especially younger and female doctors. A new "zero burnout program" (Mini Z) measure and interventions like longer visits and team-based care are proposed to improve primary care work-life balance.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Primary care medicine
- Physician well-being
Background:
- A significant burnout rate (25%) exists among family physicians renewing credentials, with higher prevalence in younger and female doctors.
- Recent reports indicate high burnout rates among general internists, highlighting a widespread issue in primary care.
- There is an urgent need for effective mechanisms to monitor and improve work-life in primary care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Mini Z ("zero burnout program") measure, a tool designed to monitor and address physician burnout.
- To propose interventions aimed at enhancing job satisfaction and sustainability within primary care.
Main Methods:
- Confirmation of high burnout rates through analysis of data from family physicians renewing credentials.
- Description of the Mini Z measure for assessing burnout and work-life factors.
- Identification of potential interventions for improving primary care work environments.
Main Results:
- The study confirms a substantial burnout rate of 25% among family physicians.
- Younger and female physicians exhibit higher rates of burnout.
- The Mini Z measure is presented as a tool for monitoring and addressing burnout.
Conclusions:
- High burnout rates necessitate immediate attention and intervention in primary care.
- The Mini Z measure offers a means to track and combat physician burnout.
- Implementing strategies such as longer patient visits, schedule control, scribe support, team-based care, and work-home balance emphasis may improve physician satisfaction and sustainability.