Applying Corporate Well-Being Strategies to Medical Practice: Addressing Physician Burnout and Overwork

In August 2023, a tragic case in Kobe City, Japan, highlighted the severe working conditions faced by resident physicians. A resident specialising in internal medicine died by suicide after experiencing extraordinary workloads, including 236 h of overtime in the month before his death. This case underscores the broader systemic issue of excessive working hours in Japan's medical profession, exacerbated by the country's 'passion pay' culture, which exploits young physicians' dedication. Surveys indicate that 28% of residents experience burnout, with long hours, inefficient task allocation and poor workplace communication as key stressors. Addressing excessive workloads requires restructuring physician responsibilities. Research shows that full-time physicians under 50 spend significant time on non-medical tasks that could be delegated to other professionals. The primary physician model, which holds doctors responsible for patients beyond their shifts, further extends work hours. Transitioning to a time-based task allocation system and implementing task-shifting strategies could alleviate these burdens. Workplace communication also requires improvement. Limited supervisory support and hierarchical barriers prevent open discussions about well-being. We underscore that drawing insights from corporate strategies, such as Marui Group's task optimisation policies and TOYOTA's anonymous feedback system, hospitals could implement structured well-being initiatives for physicians. Physician well-being directly correlates with patient satisfaction and treatment adherence. Addressing burnout through workload reduction and improved communication is essential for maintaining both doctor and patient health. Hospitals must prioritise physician well-being alongside patient care, fostering a sustainable working environment for medical professionals.