Burnout rates among health care professionals are among the highest in the nation
The current health care climate is fraught with demands from a multitude of sources. The acute care environment is particularly challenged by:
- A swelling number of burned out health care professionals
- Improving patient quality outcomes while keeping costs down and efficiency high
- Navigating EMR
- Negotiating the constant flux in health care reimbursement
The result is a potentially high-pressure environment. Administration and staff are often required to expand their caseload and job responsibilities given the same amount of time. There are frequent changes in policy, structure and staff. Yet health care workers must accomplish day-to-day tasks with increased productivity while continuing to interact with patients and co-workers from a compassionate, safe, values-driven approach.
Individuals with RESILIENT characteristics have better coping skills in the face of adversity
Burnout has surfaced in epidemic proportions for health care professionals. The problem of burnout is multi-faceted and calls for a multi-dimensional approach. Organizations must assess the problem, workplace culture, values, and community and be willing to offer creative solutions.
The skills and abilities of individuals are also critical factors. Health care professionals who have the resilient traits of persistence, self-directedness, and low avoidance of challenges experience less burnout, and have increased work engagement and satisfaction. Ultimately, this results in increased patient and employee satisfaction and decreased safety errors.