Physician burnout costs the healthcare industry between $2.6 billion and $6.3 billion annually, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. This included a baseline cost of about $4.6 billion as a result of turnover, reduced productivity and other burnout-related factors.
Each employed physician leads to about $7,600 in annual burnout costs for their facility, which can range from $3,700 to $11,000 per physician. Burnout is also associated with higher infection rates, decreased patient satisfaction, high standardized mortality rates and medication errors.
Another study published last year shows that nurse burnout costs an additional $9 billion for hospitals annually and costs the entire health care system $14 billion each year. Researchers say these statistics show it is a ‘substantial economic value’ for healthcare system providers to invest in methods to reduce stress on their clinicians. They suggest organizations should prioritize a human-centered culture, including flexible work schedules and peer-to-peer support and create buy-in with clinical teams before and after deploying new technologies or workflow to make sure they do not further stress caregivers.
For your resilience…“Other People Matter” – Christopher Peterson, PhD (1950-2012)
Having high-quality social connections is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression, better immune function, positive emotions and well-being and lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. K. Carrie Adair, Duke University Medical Center, discussed this burnout epidemic at the 2019 Nebraska Healthcare Quality Forum and offered several tools and tips to help increase happiness through meaningful connections, intentional positive attitudes and showing gratitude. Access today’s News Post which recaps her Quality Forum presentation and tools for the healthcare provider community.